INTRODUCTION 
Several years have passed since two artists, Eizo Hirayama (1933-2020) and Kazuko Hirayama
(1934-2022), departed this world. Beginning in the 1970s, the two created and illustrated many
picture books for children. After their move in 1987 to Kurohime, in Nagano prefecture, their
Museum of Autumn Leaves — a one-day exhibition at their house of Kazuko’s paintings of
autumn leaves, curated by Eizo — achieved quiet success.
A book of their work, including many that had not been seen before, has been published. It is a
tribute to the two artists who spent their lifetimes roaming the worlds of nature and image-making.