KADOKAWA has released a new ¥2,090 art book in Japan, introducing a practical way to understand famous paintings through three simple steps. Titled “Secrets of Masterpieces,” the book is written by Hibiki Inoue, who runs the popular art account Museum Explanations That Make Museums 20% More Interesting.
Released on September 17, 2026, the book is designed for readers who want to enjoy art more deeply without memorizing detailed historical backgrounds. It offers an accessible guide for a future museum visit, helping readers identify visual clues and uncover the ideas behind unfamiliar paintings.
The 272-page book costs ¥2,090 (tax included), or ¥1,900 before tax. It features examples including works associated with Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Edvard Munch, and is supervised by Akira Akiyama, a University of Tokyo art history professor.
About the Art Book
Rather than treating art appreciation as a matter of knowing one correct answer, the book explains recurring rules that can be applied to many different paintings. Its full-color pages combine clear explanations with visual examples, making the guide suitable for adults studying art as well as casual museum visitors.
Highlights
- Retail price: ¥2,090 (tax included), with a pre-tax price of ¥1,900.
- The three-step method covers the subject, visual structure, and story behind a painting.
- Readers learn to spot emphasis through placement, highlights, and directional lines.
- Examples include van Gogh’s “The Café Terrace at Night” and Munch’s “The Scream.”
- The full-color book has 272 pages and is supervised by University of Tokyo professor Akira Akiyama.
- Author Hibiki Inoue’s art-focused social media accounts had more than 270,000 followers as of September 2026.
Product & Availability
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Secrets of Masterpieces: A Book That Helps You See the Thinking of Great Artists |
| Author | Hibiki Inoue |
| Supervisor | Akira Akiyama |
| Menu / items | Full-color art appreciation guide; 272 pages; format: standard Japanese paperback size |
| Release date | September 17, 2026 |
| Location | Japan |
| Price | ¥2,090 (tax included); ¥1,900 before tax |
| Official website | KADOKAWA official website |
Before you buy
- When can I buy Secrets of Masterpieces?
- The book went on sale in Japan on September 17, 2026.
- How much is Secrets of Masterpieces?
- The listed price is ¥2,090 (tax included), including a pre-tax price of ¥1,900.
