Sumi: Vagabond Illustration

One of the best things about Japanese manga, for many, is that they are in black and white, and this gorgeous collection of primarily monochrome artwork from "Vagabond" by Takehiko Inoue shows exactly why they think so. The 158 pages of illustrations, on high-grade, heavy stock paper, are either selected from the manga or drawn for this collection, and demonstrate clearly why Inoue is such a popular artist. From intricately detailed illustrations to sumie-style paintings featuring rough brush strokes, there is something to enjoy on each page. In the back are color photos of Inoue in his work place, and of some of the tools he uses in creating his masterpieces.