Ryoma Collia-suzuki liked a video: Utamaro Revealed book trailer:
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Ryoma Collia-suzuki read and liked Todd Fonseca's review of Utamaro Revealed:

"For those unfamiliar with Kitagawa Utamaro, he was Japanese artist in the late 1700s / early 1800s whose expertise in Ukiyo-e prints is unsurpassed. Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world”, is a style of woodblock prints capable of bei...more For those unfamiliar with Kitagawa Utamaro, he was Japanese artist in the late 1700s / early 1800s whose expertise in Ukiyo-e prints is unsurpassed. Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world”, is a style of woodblock prints capable of being mass produced. Ukiyo, or “floating world”, refers to the rising unregulated merchant class appearing during this same period. Hence, Utamaro’s work reflected much of Japan’s culture and life during this period especially his compositions and study of women.

In Utamaro Revealed, Gina Collia-Suzuki beautifully reveals much more than just Utamaro, and her expertise not only in the artist but the rich culture and history of Japan shines. She takes the reader on a journey of a proud and changing society by highlighting Utamaro’s work through themes of the time: the pleasure quarter, entertainment, legendary gods and heroes, leisurely pursuits, everyday life, and so on.

Filled with over ninety of Utamaro’s reproductions, Collia-Suzuki augments each of these with a warm and thoughtful description of the back story inspiring the piece while pointing out specific details in the print providing the reader with a true understanding of the subtle brilliance of the artist. One such example is her explanation of Utamaro’s A young woman painting her lips. In this particular print, there are a number of bowls and paraphernalia used by the woman to prepare her face. Collia-Suzuki explains, “Beside the bowl is a box of fushi powder, which was made from the gallnuts found on the Japanese sumac tree. The combination of fushi powder and kanemizu, made by fermenting iron fillings in a mixture of tea, vinegar and rice wine, produced a black pigment which could then be applied to the teeth, and once dried provided a rich lacquer coating.”

It is clear Collia-Suzuki has spent years in the pursuit of acquiring, learning, and understand Utamaro’s work. Utamaro Revealed is like having your own personal art museum and cultural expert at your side. This is truly a masterful work that can be enjoyed by all.
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Ryoma Collia-suzuki read and liked Dee Marie's review of The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy:

"“The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy,” (or, as I like to call it, the tale of the world’s grumpiest old man), is a murderous misadventure wrapped in the guise of comedic calamities. The story gives new meaning to the old adage...that ...more “The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy,” (or, as I like to call it, the tale of the world’s grumpiest old man), is a murderous misadventure wrapped in the guise of comedic calamities. The story gives new meaning to the old adage...that you can pick your house, you can even pick your neighborhood, but you cannot pick your neighbors.

In Gina Collia-Suzuki cautionary tale, an urban, British couple purchase what they perceive to be their dream home. On move-in day, an “unwelcoming party” of two grumpy, senile, senior citizens…their neighbors...Mr. and Mrs. Guppy...relentlessly accost the young couple.

From that first day, until the wonderful demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy, the couple’s fantasy of a happy-ever-after existence rapidly dissolves into a living nightmare…petty verbal grievances spiral into vandalism and assassination attempts.

At times, Gina’s well-crafted fictitious tale takes on the feel of a real life horror story. How could an ordinary, sane housewife be driven to the brink of madness…beyond the brink of murder…read “The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy,” and judge for yourself.

Dee Marie ~ author of “Sons of Avalon: Merlin’s Prophecy”(less) "