Recently I was asked why I'd not thought of writing a book about Japanese prints earlier, as it is clear to everyone who meets me that I am absolutely obsessed with them. In truth, the thought occurred many years ago, it's simply the case that the book did not follow. Before I explain why I chose to write it now, I must explain why I didn't write it when the idea first entered my head. During my last conversation with Jack Hillier, which took place shortly before he passed away at the beginning of 1995, the subject of my planned book came up. It wasn't the first time, but it was the first time I'd got some idea of the direction I wanted to go in. It was a serious discussion, and it was my intention to start work on the project almost immediately. In fact, I did begin writing the introduction. Then the news came, he'd gone.

Jack Hillier wasn't just my teacher, always there to give me a shove in the right direction when I went meandering off down the wrong path... he was a dear friend. Continuing at that point in time wasn't an option. Every print I looked at, every book about Japanese prints I opened, all of it reminded me of him. I made the decision to continue with the research but put the book on hold for a while. Then time slipped away.

So what made me finally begin writing the book, after all the time that had passed? Last January I almost died. It was touch and go there for a while, and an experience like that tends to bring about a drastic change in perspective. As soon as I was well enough I began work, and I didn't stop until I had finished. So there you have it... I stopped, I started, and now I seem to be incapable of doing anything other than going on, so this is just the beginning...