An illustration of a chaotic scene where a large table has been overturned. Two blue figures are trapped beneath the furniture, while two other figures cheer and dance beside them.

Mouthwateringly wonderful Aesop Fables illustrations by Japanese master Takeo Takei

Words: Rob Alderson
—
Date: 14 June 2012; Work
Illustration

My finely-honed sense of right and wrong is traceable back to a brilliant illustrated book of Aesop’s Fables I pored over as a youngster, when my malleable young mind learned morals through the adventures of various animals. But if the mid-1980s has hitherto been my yardstick for Aesop aesthetica, I have to concede that these stunning illustrations by Takeo Takei may have just swooped into top spot. There’s a pared back delicacy to these drawings, (produced for a 1925 edition of the work) but they retain the sinister edge which is an integral part of Aesop’s genius. I could literally look at these all day.

An illustration on a brown book cover shows a white mouse wearing a blue jacket and a long green scarf. The mouse holds a small lit candle, framed within a diamond shape. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration of an anthropomorphic fox walking while tipping a red top hat. They wear a black tailcoat, red bow tie and striped trousers, carrying a thin walking stick. Japanese text appears on either side of the figure. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

A black and white illustration of a rabbit and a horse-like figure. The rabbit is wearing a turtle shell as a costume, while the horse-like figure holds a small flag and a pistol. Above them, a flag reads “Winnig post” alongside Japanese characters. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration of a person with a long, curly beard sitting in a wooden chair. They wear a red fez and patterned robes, holding a long staff in one hand. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration of a tall, anthropomorphic wolf standing beside a small person. The wolf wears a green and black striped dress and leans on a walking stick. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration for a book cover on aged paper. A boat carrying several small animals sails across a wavy sea, with the word “Aesop” written across the hull. Red Japanese text and a red seal appear at the top and bottom, with the date “1925” printed near the base. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration on a cream page shows a small figure in a black suit riding a lion. The figure holds a thin whip, while the lion has a wide, toothy grin. Vertical Japanese text on the left reads “イソップものがたりみだし”, and a red square seal sits at the top. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration of a small figure standing atop a towering, narrow black pillar. A second figure walks along the ground below, with a distant mountain and a smiling sun in the sky. Vertical Japanese text runs alongside the pillar. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration of a mouse wearing a red coat and blue trousers, standing on a small platform and gesturing towards a large, blue-roofed building. A group of smaller mice watch from below, and Japanese text is arranged vertically across the top of the page. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

An illustration of two surreal figures sitting atop tall, fluted columns. Between them, a vertical line of stylised Japanese calligraphy descends down the page. — Above
Takeo Takei: Aesop’s Fables

Further Info

www.50watts.com/Takeo-Aesop

About the Author

Rob Alderson

—

Rob Alderson is a freelance writer, editor and strategist. He was previously editor-in-chief of It’s Nice That and WePresent, and editor of Design Week. He publishes the newsletter Undo, which tries to make sense of how AI is changing design work, the design process and the design industry.

Mouthwateringly wonderful Aesop Fables illustrations by Japanese master Takeo Takei

Share Article

Further Info

About the Author

Related content

From wax seals to postal stamps, Aplomb perfume’s packaging has the intimacy of a handwritten letter

Artwork for anyone that’s looking: Bill Rebholz on taking ‘trash’ and turning it into beautiful vernacular signs

Mona Chalabi on making sense of the unmeasurable

Affinity and Cavalry give creatives somewhere to create freely… and for free

It's Nice That Newsletters