Since I joined Nippon Doga
and started my career in animation,
thirty years have already passed.
In those days there were but a few in the business,
so when animation later became popular,
I had the privilege of working on many films,
as if I were one of the first to settle in the kingdom.
My heart-felt thanks to my fellow staff members.
Since I first had the pleasure of drawing elephants
for a Shogakkanıs childrenıs magazine,
thirty years have already passed.
Although I'm not very good at drawing,
and I can't draw anything stylish,
still I had the privilege of drawing bears and pigs
for many publishing houses throughout the town.
My heart-felt thanks to all the editors I met.
Then I heard of a plan to collect my work and publish a book.
Although I insisted nobody would buy the book,
and said the publisher might go bankrupt,
"That's all right, we'll still do it,"
said Namiki-san, who laughed as he strutted in his wooden sandals.
My heart-felt thanks to everyone at ANlDO.
Once again I received much kindness for the making of this book.
Hikone-san, who wrote the preface,
people at the publisher, and Ishibashi-san, the assistant editor,
I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
July,1985