Exciting News: Upcoming Release of โHaiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony and Power in Japanese Artโ
A Beautiful Collaboration Arrives Just in Time for the Holidays
Dear friends and followers,
I am thrilled to announce that Literary Revelations will soon publish a very special album: โHaiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony and Power.โ This splendid collection will be available in early Decemberโjust in time to make the perfect Christmas gift for literature and art lovers alike!
The album is a true collectorโs piece. It features exquisite paintings and tanka poetry by Hikari, expressing traditional Japanese art. Alongside her stunning artwork, youโll find my own interpretations of her paintings, illustrated in my haiku. This collaboration celebrates the harmony between visual art and poetry, offering a unique journey through both mediums.
We understand the importance of accessibility, so Literary Revelations will make every effort to keep the price as low as possible. Our goal is to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy this remarkable album.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Thank you all for your continued supportโI canโt wait for you to experience this extraordinary release!
With excitement, gratitude, and deep thanks for your continued support!
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My dearest followers, I wish you a beautiful and magical November.
The purpose of this post is two fold:
A poem by me
An exciting update on Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.
Let’s start:
November Hues by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton
Somewhere in Northern Europe – My Photo
In Novemberโs breath, the law of beauty sleeps โ a hush of gold dissolving into dusk. Even the dying light adorns the world, as if farewell itself was made of grace.
An update on Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese art.
Literary Revelations is pleased to announce that Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton is scheduled for publication at the beginning of December, just in time for Christmas presents. Please read more about the book and perspectivism in art HERE. If you go to that post, you will also have the possibility to write haiku or tanka on a new fabulous picture by Hikari.
This post will explain what to expect from Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton, forthcoming from Literary Revelations.
I want to make it clear from the beginning: Hikariโs fabulous contribution is much bigger than mine. She painted the art and wrote the tanka. I only wrote the foreword and corresponding haiku, approaching her paintings from a different point of view.
So letโs start, because at the end I have a surprise for you.
Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton
Trim: 8X10 inches Text: English-Japanese Amazon premium paper glossy Foreword and bios in English and Japanese Hardcover and paperback
The novelty brought by the book – Different interpretations of the same image
Hikariโs vibrant brushstrokes capture emotions and moments in time, while her tanka adds layers of meaning that resonate deeply with each piece. My haiku serves as a reflective lens, offering a different perspective on the same visual stimuli. This interplay between our approaches shows how art can be perceived through varied lenses, highlighting the beauty and meaning of our individual interpretations.
In 2003, when my publishing house, Literary Revelations, was still in its infancy, fate brought me to Hikari through a dear friend. The moment I laid eyes on her paintings; I was utterly captivated; they were a breathtaking homage to Japanese art. Each piece resonated with an ethereal beautyโpastels blending seamlessly with the elegance of fans and the grace of swords. It felt as though time stood still for those few seconds as I absorbed the profound artistry before me. Hikariโs work transcends mere aesthetics; it tells stories steeped in tradition and culture, inviting viewers and readers of tanka into a world where every brushstroke holds meaning.
This encounter ignited a spark within me โ a desire to collaborate on a project that would not only showcase Hikariโs incredible talent but also convey my unique vision of the art of haiku. Hikari is Japanese, and she spent her young years in Europe. I am a European who now lives in the US. Together, we decided to create something extraordinary that honors both her heritage and my interpretations of the art of haiku.
In the name of our friendship, HAIKU AND TANKA: LULL, HARMONY AND POWER IN JAPANESE ART was born.
[from the foreword]
When you open the book, here is what you will find [the margins will not be there]
English translation of my haiku: Naoki Kimura.
Surprise
Hikari has painted a new fabulous piece for you and written a new tanka. I just wrote a corresponding haiku. Those pieces will not be included in the book.
My dear followers and subscribers, I wish you a fantastic week filled with joy and happiness.
Today I would like to:
Ignite your curiosity with the enchanting upcoming art album and poetry collection entitled Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art, crafted with heart and soul by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.
Share the exhilarating news of a prestigious award that my publishing house, Literary Revelation, has proudly received!
Remind you of a few things.
Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art, by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.
it is with a sense of reverence and anticipation that I welcome you into the luminous world of Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art. Within these pages, the inspired artistry of Hikari and the lyrical insight of Gabriela Marie Milton weave an exquisite tapestry, inviting you to witness the delicate interplay of image and word. Here, art and poetry converse, giving voice to the ineffable.
The tradition of Japanese art is a testament to subtletyโa choreography of brush and spirit, of line and stillness, tracing the arc of centuries. Hikariโs paintings, shimmering with the echoes of ancient customs and the gentle cadence of nature, are not mere representations but meditations. Each canvas offers a sanctuary for contemplation, drawing us into depths where the soul may linger for a while.
For every painting, two poetic visions arise: the tanka, Hikariโs powerful thread, unspools with grace, capturing the hidden currents of emotion, justice, and sometimes memory; the haiku, rendered by Gabriela Marie Milton, distills the moment into lyricismโa dewdrop reflecting the vastness of feelings. Both forms, though inspired by a single image, diverge in their journey, each illuminating facets the other cannot reach. In their dialogue, they evoke shifting patterns, perhaps a sort of adulterated perspectivism, as they try to find unity in ultimacy.
Many thanks to Japanese artist Naoki Kimura, who translated my haiku into Japanese.
Relevant picture by Hikari
Advertising the book:
Sharing the exhilarating news of a prestigious award that my publishing house, Literary Revelation, has proudly received! BEST POETRY PUBLISHER IN THE US OF 2025 – EVERYGREEN AWARD.
I am elated to share with you that after receiving the BEST PUBLISHER IN THE USA OF 2025 by BEST OF BEST REVIEW, Literary Revelations has received the BEST POETRY PUBLISHER IN THE US OF 2025 – EVERYGREEN AWARD.
My publishing house, Literary Revelations, is excited to announce the forthcoming release of its new album, which highlights the beauty of Japanese art and poetry. This unique collection, entitled HAIKU AND TANKA: LULL, HARMONY AND POWER IN JAPANESE ART, by Japanese Artist Hikari and Poet Gabriela Marie Milton, will showcase evocative haiku and tanka, and absolutely stunning paintings by Hikari, offering readers an immersive journey through the timeless elegance of Japanese poetic traditions and art.
JAPANESE TITLE:
ART ON THE COVER – HIKARI
IN LIEU OF A FOREWORD
In 2023, when my publishing house, Literary Revelations, was still in its infancy, fate brought me to Hikari through a dear friend. The moment I laid eyes on her paintings, I was utterly captivated; they were a breathtaking homage to Japanese art. Each piece resonated with an ethereal beautyโpastels blending seamlessly with the elegance of fans and the grace of swords. It felt as though time stood still for those few seconds as I absorbed the profound artistry before me. Hikariโs work transcends mere aesthetics; it tells stories steeped in tradition and culture, inviting viewers and readers of tanka into a world where every brushstroke holds meaning.
This encounter ignited a spark within me – a desire to collaborate on a project that would not only showcase Hikari’s incredible talent but also convey my unique vision of the art of haiku. Hikari is Japanese, and she spent her young years in Europe. I am a European who now lives in the US. Together, we decided to create something extraordinary that honors both her heritage and my interpretations of the art of haiku.
In the name of our friendship, HAIKU AND TANKA: LULL, HARMONY AND POWER IN JAPANESE ART was born.
HAIKU AND TANKA: LULL, HARMONY AND POWER IN JAPANESE ART is an exceptional art album and at the same time a beautiful book of poetry. Hikari and I embarked on a unique and fantastic artistic journey that intertwines her superb paintings with her evocative tanka poetry, and my interpretations of her paintings expressed through haiku. This collaboration is an unbelievable exhibition of art and poetry, and at the same time, it is an experiment that invites you, the readers, to witness the confluence of two distinct creative rivers flowing calmly together and whispering different stories.
Hikari’s brushstrokes capture emotions and moments in time, while her tanka adds layers of meaning that resonate deeply with each piece. My haiku serves as a reflective lens, offering a different perspective on the same visual stimuli. This interplay between our approaches shows how art can be perceived through varied lenses, highlighting the beauty and meaning of our individual interpretations.
As you turn each page, you’ll discover how our voices harmonize and divergeโan exploration of creativity that encourages you to reflect on your own interpretations. Join us in this artistic dialogue and experience that shows firsthand how two souls can connect through the universal language of art. My haiku included in this art album is translated into Japanese by aclamed fine-art photographer and poet Naoki Kimura.
Gabriela Marie Milton Editor-in Chief and Founder of Literary Revelations
Announcements:
Please stay tuned for more info. Visit Literary Revelations, Hikari and I on our social media:
@lr_publisher on X and IG @gabriela_marie_milton on IG and @shortprose1 on X Hikari on IG and X @hikari2162554
My publishing house, Literary Revelations, and I are thrilled beyond words to share some incredible news with you. The eBook edition of Fine Art Photography: Lullscapes in Light and Shadow by acclaimed Japanese artist Naoki Kimura has soared to the #1 Bestseller spot in Japan! Equally exciting, the book is currently the #1 Bestseller in the USA too.
This journey would not be possible without your unwavering support and appreciation for the art of photography and poetry. Each page of this collection is a tribute to quiet beauty, gentle illumination, and the delicate dance of shadows and wordsโa treasure designed to enrich the souls of all who encounter it.
From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for being part of this artistic adventure. Your enthusiasm inspires us every day, and we sincerely hope you continue to enjoy and share our eBook with others. With your help, this digital masterpiece can find its way to even more art lovers around the world.
May this book bring light and serenity to your days. Thank you for making this moment possible.
My dearest followers and cherished subscribers, I am absolutely exhilarated to share the incredible news that Lullscapes in Light and Shadow by Naoki Kimura has soared to the very top of the charts in both Japan and the USA!
#1 Bestseller in Japan in two Amazon categories
Top release in the USA in Black and White Photography
Bestseller in the USA
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible support through your purchases and heartfelt reviews. Your kindness fills me with deep gratitude and joy.
ๅชใใๅ ใใใชใใใชใ้ฐใใก โ ใใฎๅใใฏใๅใชใใปใฉใซ็พใใ ไฝใฟ โ ๅชใๅพ ใก็ถใใ The light is tender, the shadow falls with graceโ delicate, it stirs the ache of beauty. I linger, awaiting the hush of the lull.
ๆจ ๆ ๅฐ ๆจน Naoki Kimura ๅชๆฏ Nagikei Lullscapes in Light and Shadow
A few words about this haiku
Despite its brevity, a haiku can carry profound emotional weight. Its power lies in what is left unsaidโthe spaces between words and the silence after the final syllable. This is truly a fabulous piece that lingers in the mind, echoing with gentle wisdom and stirring wonder. To analyze Noaki Kimura’s haiku is to appreciate his artistry and embrace the delight it brings to the reader.
As another week gently draws to its close, I want to pause and wish each of you a truly fabulous weekend. May these days be filled with the gentle beauty of quiet moments, the laughter of friends, and the comfort of creative inspiration.
Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton
I enter your soft dreams, your lips linger, dew-kissed night, silence breathes between.
Update: Lullscapes in Light and Shadow
I am delighted to share an update on Naoki Kimuraโs remarkable fine art photography and poetry, Lullscapes in Light and Shadow, published by Literary Revelations. The album is still a #1 bestseller in Japan, a Top Release, and a bestseller in the USA. This splendid collection weaves delicate imagery and profound emotion into every line, exploring the interplay between illumination and obscurity in both poetry and fine art photography. Naoki Kimuraโs work truly invites readers to wander through landscapes of dream and memory, where each poem is a moment of quiet discovery.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the book. Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world, and it is heartwarming to see Lullscapes in Light and Shadow finding its way to readers across the globe.
Thank you, USA!
Thank you, Japan!
Thank you, UK!
Thank you, Canada!
Your love of literature is what keeps stories alive and growing. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has purchased and read the book. May this weekend bring you peace, inspiration, and the gentle glow of words well loved.
For you a poem from Naoki’s album:
Somewhere between heartbeats and breath, golden whispers coil in stillness, each filament a promise that even silence can wear its own light. –Naoki Kimura
The featured photo also belongs to Naoki Kimura and it is included in the album.
ๅชใใๅ ใใใชใใใชใ้ฐใใก โ ใใฎๅใใฏใๅใชใใปใฉใซ็พใใ ไฝใฟ โ ๅชใๅพ ใก็ถใใ The light is tender, the shadow falls with graceโ delicate, it stirs the ache of beauty. I linger, awaiting the hush of the lull.
ๆจ ๆ ๅฐ ๆจน Naoki Kimura ๅชๆฏ Nagikei Lullscapes in Light and Shadow
My dear followers.
Lullscapes in Light and Shadow by Naoki Kimura, is now an Amazon bestseller and Top New Release in Black and White Photography.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who bought the book or spread the news.
I need your help more than ever.
WHY?
Because on Tuesday, the four major publishers of the world release their books, usually dragging down self-published books and small independent publishers. Literary Revelations is so proud of its accomplishments, but it is not Penguin Random House.
Penguin Random House, the publisher encompassing the “Penguin” name, reported record global revenues of โฌ4.9 billion (approximately $5.3 billion) for 2024, driven by higher book prices and broad title offerings. This marks an increase from โฌ4.5 billion ($4.92 billion) in 2023, continuing a trend of rising sales despite earlier challenges.
The title โNagikeiโ (ๅชๆฏโLullscapes) distills the profound tranquility and harmony embodied in โNagiโ (ๅช, Lull), weaving it seamlessly with the subtle appreciation for nuance and evanescence inherent in โKeiโ (ๆฏ, scenery or emotional landscape). In Naoki Kimuraโs fine art photography and poetry album, this fusion becomes not merely an artful label, but a gentle invocationโan opening into a world where, between the shifting of light and shadow, time decelerates and the soul glides quietly toward contemplation.
Lullscapes in Light and Shadows is an artwork of interwoven monochrome vistas, with a careful curation of poetryโhaiku, tanka, free-form verse, and brief prose reflections. Each literary piece is chosen to echo or counterpoint the visual narrative, inviting us ever deeper into the dialogue between image and word, between perception and emotion. The result is not a collection to be hurried through, but a presence to be lived withโan artifact for repeated visitation, wherein each encounter reveals new shades of meaning.
Nagikei is a quiet revolutionโa call to reclaim the present moment from the relentless tide of haste and distraction. It is a living testament to the possibility of beauty in stillness, a sanctuary for those willing to see with eyes attuned to the delicate music of impermanence.
I am absolutely ecstatic to announce that Naoki Kimura’s mesmerizing art album, Lullscapes in Light and Shadow was released on Amazon yesterday and at the hour I write is already TOP NEW RELEASE IN THE USA IN BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY. Congratulations to Naoki Kimura, and thank you to those who decided to support us in any way possible.
Naoki Kimra’s Nagikei (ๅชๆฏโLullscapes): An Invitation to Japanese Fine Art Photography and Poetry, by Naoki Kimura The Art of Stillness, Subtlety, and Impermanence
Placed upon a coffee table, Lullscapes in Light and Shadow, a superb album by Japanese artist Naoki Kimura becomes a vessel for shared reflection; opened in solitude, it becomes a companion for meditation. The pages of the album are thresholdsโcross them, and you enter a world where the ordinary glimmers with the extraordinary, where slowness becomes a form of gratitude.
The title โNagikeiโ (ๅชๆฏโLullscapes) distills the profound tranquility and harmony embodied in โNagiโ (ๅช, Lull), weaving it seamlessly with the subtle appreciation for nuance and evanescence inherent in โKeiโ (ๆฏ, scenery or emotional landscape). In Naoki Kimuraโs fine art photography and poetry album, this fusion becomes not merely an artful label, but a gentle invocationโan opening into a world where, between the shifting of light and shadow, time decelerates and the soul glides quietly toward contemplation. Lullscapes in Light and Shadow is an invitation to rediscover moments of serenity and ephemeral beauty that are often overlooked in the rush of daily life. Kimuraโs monochrome photography is both an ode to visual and literaryโto the hush that follows the wind, to the grace found in the silent corners of existence.
Suffused throughout Nagikei is the spirit of โMono no Aware,โ that uniquely Japanese awareness of the bittersweet nature of impermanence. To see with โMono no Awareโ is to encounter beauty precisely because, and not despite, its fleetingness. Kimuraโs fine art photographs do not aspire to be mere records of a vanishing world; they are meditation spaces in which to linger, to mourn, and to celebrate the fragile radiance slipping softly through our fingers. Each image becomes a silent haiku, a momentโs flare of consciousness before it dissolves back into the quiet flow of time.
Interwoven with the monochrome vistas is a careful curation of poetryโhaiku, tanka, free-form verse, and brief prose reflections. Each literary piece is chosen to echo or counterpoint the visual narrative, inviting us ever deeper into the dialogue between image and word, between perception and emotion. The result is not a collection to be hurried through, but a presence to be lived withโan artifact for repeated visitation, wherein each encounter reveals new shades of meaning.
Nagikei is a quiet revolutionโa call to reclaim the present moment from the relentless tide of haste and distraction. It is a living testament to the possibility of beauty in stillness, a sanctuary for those willing to see with eyes attuned to the delicate music of impermanence.
