Sketchbook of a Paper Trading Company by Toshiyuki Murayama (村山利幸) circa 2001

Toshiyuki Maruyama (村山利幸) is an illustrator and graphic designer whose past works are hardly documented, but have been part of some of the largest exhibitions in the country.

This piece is a hand-drawn illustration, presumably by a fountain pen or otherwise ink sketch, of differing kinds of people wearing Yukata. Additionally, there are two women (one in the back, and one in the bottom right) wearing Kimono. The art style is incredibly free and expressive, and gives homage to a crowded street, bus, or otherwise public space in which everyone involved isn't the most pleased with the lack of personal space. The lines in the distance give an instance of a natural background of sorts, and suggest a swooping tree in the distance. The expressions between each individual vary greatly and indicate a great understanding of visual storytelling. This artist also utilizes pattern and texture richly within the figures, giving the viewer a sense of individual contrast and overall visual harmony at the same time.

He was a participating artist in the BODYWORK exhibition as part of the Japan Graphic Design Association's Osaka Design Learning Exhibition that took place from November 20th to November 30th 2008, at PAPERPLACE in Chuo-ku, Osaka. His involvement with the JAGDA, as well as his recognition by the Ginza Graphic Design Library, is evidence of his involvement with graphic design and artistic direction during his life, but there is little other evidence, contemporary or otherwise, about his other works. It gives testimony to the anonymous nature of graphic design, and as an art form, relegates recognition to a few individuals.  He is similarly mentioned by JAGDA under the monocre “ラクーン” (Racoon) or similarly by Racoon Designs, as to indicate a personal brand. However, further insight into his ventures under this name is yet to be discovered.