「透過書來與別人溝通是一件很有趣的事情，若別人也喜歡我的選書，並買它們回家，已讓我樂上半天。」由川田修（Osamu Kawata）創立的書店 BOOK & SONS 不是一般大眾的書店，它的選書非常狹窄，主要是關於排版設計、攝影的書籍；書店的選址也是遠離市中心的住宅區，前來的人大概都是刻意前來，而非偶然路過。
「我在大學時唸管理，從來都沒有修讀過設計或是藝術，後來依靠閱讀各類書籍和作品集來吸收平面和排版設計的知識和技術，最後自學成設計師。對我來說，書本就是老師。」一方面啟發自他自身的經歷，川田也想為年輕設計師提供一個可以集中閱讀這類書籍的空間；另一方面，因為自學設計而收集了大量的排版設計書籍，開店正好讓書本有藏身之所，也能藉此轉讓給有需要的人。
“Communicating through books is such a fascinating experience. When someone shares my taste and takes a book home, it truly makes my day,” says Osamu Kawata, founder of BOOK & SONS. This bookstore is far from ordinary; its curated selection focuses primarily on typography and photography. Located away from the city center in a quiet residential area, its visitors tend to make the trip on purpose rather than by chance.
“I studied management in university, never taking design or art classes. Instead, I immersed myself in various books and portfolios to learn graphic and typography design, ultimately becoming a self-taught designer. For me, books are my teachers.” Inspired by his own journey, Kawata aims to create a space for young designers to explore these subjects. His personal collection of typography books found a home in this store, allowing him to share valuable resources with those in need.
「店如其名，書店名字『書本和兒子們』有著傳承後代的意思。現在網絡媒體成為主流，喜愛閱讀的人越來越少。可是，書本的價值不是網絡能輕易取代的，我希望 BOOK & SONS 能把書本這媒介傳給下一代。」川田說，當時正好在為事務所尋找地方，碰巧來到東京學藝大學附近，一眼便覺得非常適合開書店。「我考慮到開這類設計專門的書店，選一個遠離繁囂的地方會比較合適。除了不少雜誌編輯和平面設計師都居住在學藝大學附近外，這一帶也有越來越多有個性的選物店、喫茶店和咖啡店等，是一個很有趣、有活力的社區。」
一開始，書店主要售賣有關排版設計的二手書，後來因客人的需要，店內的新刊書籍也多了不少。「說起二手書店，很容易讓人聯想起從堆積如山的書堆裡尋書的景象。然而，也許是設計師的職業病作怪吧，我總是想把店弄得整齊有序。因此，店內的裝潢是整潔簡約的風格，並選用了不同的家具來為書店增加有質感的細節。例如是法國建築家 Jean Prouvé 設計的壁燈、東京家具店 AS.CRAFT FURNITURE 出品的書架，還有奈良手工訂製喇叭店 listude 設計及製作的多角型喇叭等等。」
日本「書店大獎」的創辦人嶋浩一郎在《書店的逆襲》中說道一間好的書店有著讓人「激發好奇心」、「意想不到」的書架擺設，讓前來的人能從書海中找尋源源不絕的靈感。川田也是一樣，除了精心挑選能刺激想像和創意的書籍，店內的每一個角落都體現著川田的巧思，恬靜的氛圍和空間感讓人不禁流連忘返。「印象中，不少客人是創作家，或是修讀設計和藝術的學生。他們常跟我說，這裡有一種魅力，讓他們想要長留店內。」川田笑說。
“As the name suggests, BOOK & SONS conveys a legacy of passing knowledge to future generations. With digital media becoming mainstream, fewer people are embracing reading. However, the value of books cannot be easily replaced by the internet. I hope BOOK & SONS will help pass this medium on to the next generation,” Kawata explains. While searching for a workspace, he stumbled upon the perfect spot near Tokyo Gakugei University. “I thought a specialized design bookstore would thrive in a quieter area. Many magazine editors and graphic designers live nearby, and the neighborhood is filled with unique shops and cafes, creating a vibrant community.”
At the beginning, the bookstore focused on second-hand books about typography, but customer demand led to an increase in new titles. “When you think of second-hand bookstores, you might imagine sifting through piles of books. However, perhaps due to my designer’s instincts, I wanted to keep the store neat and organized. The decor features a clean, minimalist style, with carefully selected furniture that adds a touch of quality—like wall sconces designed by French architect Jean Prouvé and bookshelves from Tokyo’s AS.CRAFT FURNITURE.”
Koichiro Shima, founder of the Japan Booksellers’ Awards, noted in his book, The Counterattack of Bookstores, that a great bookstore should spark curiosity and bring surprise through its shelving, inspiring endless creativity. Kawata embodies this philosophy, curating books that spark imagination and creativity, while every corner of the store reflects his thoughtful design. The tranquil atmosphere invites visitors to linger. “Many customers are artists or students studying design and art. They often tell me there’s a charm here that makes them want to stay,” Kawata smiles.
— Osamu Kawata’s Pick: Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockmann—
「在我成為設計師之前，並沒有修讀過設計，而這本書讓我認識了設計上的網格系統（Grid Systems），也深深影響著我的設計。」
“Before becoming a designer, I had never studied design, and this book introduced me to grid systems, which have profoundly influenced my work.”
BOOK & SONS 除了是一間書店，還會定期舉辦攝影展覽，曾參展過的攝影師包括有川內倫子、橫浪修和濱田英明等，可見川田對攝影的熱愛。「我認為設計師這行業，無可避免會接觸到攝影。相比自己拍照，我較常看別人的攝影，這對策展時如何挑選展品亦有著一定的影響。」早前，店內舉行了川內倫子「M/E」和 濱田英明「時間の面影 – resemblance of time」兩個展覽，二人都是擅於捕捉日常美好風景的攝影師，作品往往予人一往夢幻感。
「川內小姐選了大地母親（Mother Earth）這主題來把地球和日常生活中的點滴連繫在一起。濱田先生則透過拍攝誰人也似乎看過的景色，來演繹『時間』這宏大的主題。兩人的共通之處是放眼日常幾乎無人留意的周遭事物，讓觀眾重新發現自己的身邊也有這麽多如此美麗的事物。」
「我很喜歡吉祥寺駅附近、主要是賣攝影集的書店 book obscura，我很喜歡店主散發出那份對攝影集的熱愛。」在 BOOK & SONS 舉辦攝影展外，川田還在故鄉神戶開了另一間主要賣攝影集的書店 THE BOOK END，他說，在神戶開店是想為出生地盡一份心力之意，同時也讓人感受到他對攝影集的熱愛。這間書店特別的地方是花了很多心思在如何展示書籍之上，就如畫廊一般，經過挑選、整理、排列，讓書店的留白，促成書本之間、書本與來訪的人之間的一場對話。
Beyond being a bookstore, BOOK & SONS regularly hosts photography exhibitions, showcasing works from artists like Renko Kawauchi, Shu Yokoyama, and Hideaki Hamada. “As a designer, I inevitably engage with photography. While I do take photos myself, I often prefer exploring the works of others, which influences my curation choices.” Recently, the store featured exhibitions by Kawauchi titled “M/E” and Hamada’s “Resemblance of Time,” both of which excel at capturing the beauty of everyday life, often evoking a dreamlike quality.
“Kawauchi chose the theme ‘Mother Earth’ to connect the planet with daily moments; while Hamada interprets the vast concept of time by photographing scenes that feel familiar to everyone. Both of them draw attention to unnoticed beauty in our surroundings, allowing viewers to rediscover the lovely details of their own lives.”
“I really enjoy book obscura near Kichijoji Station, especially the owner’s passion for photography books.” In addition to hosting exhibitions at BOOK & SONS, Kawata has opened another bookstore in his hometown of Kobe, named THE BOOK END, which focuses primarily on photography books. “Opening a shop in Kobe is my way of giving back to my birthplace while sharing my love for photography books.” This store stands out for its thoughtful presentation, resembling a gallery where books are curated and arranged to encourage dialogue between books and visitors.
