The Ghibli Museum is the public home to the works of the acclaimed animation studio. Hayao Miyazaki's first new work since his post-The Wind Rises retirement debuted there and it was the site of public mourning after the passing of director Isao Takahata. The museum will feature a new exhibition beginning on September 12 to celebrate the release of the picture book, Totoro no Umareta Tokoro (Where Totoro Was Born).

The book focuses on Miyazaki's deep connection with Tokorozawa and the surrounding area that served as the basis for the setting in My Neighbor Totoro. It includes illustrations by both Hayao Miyazaki and his wife and animator Akemi Miyazaki. The book discusses the area's natural diversity throughout the seasons with sketches and diary entries by Akemi and image board drawings of the world of My Neighbor Totoro and an interview by Hayao Miyazaki.

The Table of Contents is broken up into six sections: Kami no Yama, Akemi Miyazaki's Home Town Sketch Diary (by season), a guide to Hachikokuyama by Toshio Suzuki, Totoro's World Born from the Tokorozawa Landscape by Hayao Miyazaki, Scenery of My Hometown I Want to Save for the Future: Sayama Hills, and a map of the area.

The exhibition will feature Akemi's sketches and drawings that could not be included within the book. Tickets to see the exhibition this month are already sold out. October tickets will go on sale on September 10.

The book is available in Japan now for 1,296 yen (US$12).

Source: Studio Ghibli Unofficial fansite