“In the Beginning of the Nation (from the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki)” is a silkscreen portfolio by Jiro Takamatsu, produced as an edition of 87. The work consists of a complete set of seven prints.

The portfolio is based on the creation myth recorded in Japan’s earliest historical texts, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. The narrative of Izanagi and Izanami creating the islands of Japan is interpreted through abstract forms and symbolic compositions, transforming mythological imagery into a contemporary visual language.

Since the 1960s, Jiro Takamatsu has been known for conceptual works such as the “Shadow” and “Perspective” series, which explore the nature of perception and existence. In this portfolio, while drawing from mythological sources, Takamatsu reconstructs the imagery through structural relationships and abstract visual elements rather than straightforward narrative representation.

The “In the Beginning of the Nation” portfolio represents a unique intersection between Japanese mythological tradition and Takamatsu’s conceptual artistic approach, presenting a significant body of work that expands his ideas through the medium of printmaking.