The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari
An Artist's Book by João Butoh
About the Work
The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari is an artist’s book that interweaves art, literature, mythology, and design into a poetic and symbolic experience. Created entirely by João Butoh, the project transcends traditional formats, proposing a reading that is also a ritual—contemplative and sensorial. Project approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture – PRONAC 253193.
More than a fantasy novel, this is a living work, illustrated, written, and designed in all its aspects by a single artist. It’s a true art object and an invitation to the imagination.
Like all modern companies, The Grimoire values diversity, empowerment, and boundless imagination. It’s the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, able to engage thousands of young people seeking inspiration and a sense of belonging.
Publication in the Official Gazette of the Union
Approval by the Ministry of Culture of Brazil
PRONAC 253193 - The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari.
The Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) is the official journal of the Brazilian Federal Government, published by the National Press, where laws, decrees, ordinances, notices, acts of civil servants, and other documents of public interest and federal administration are published, providing publicity and legal validity to these acts and guaranteeing government transparency. It is published daily, is accessible online free of charge, and is divided into three main sections.
Link to the publication in the Official Gazette of the Union:
https://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/portaria-sefic/minc-n-422-de-13-de-junho-de-2025-636291519
https://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/portaria-sefic/minc-n-2-de-6-de-janeiro-de-2026-679851527
Artist's Book
“The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari” transcends conventional boundaries between literature and art to establish itself as an authentic Artist’s Book. In this singular work of fantasy fiction, every word, every image, every design element, and every detail of the layout is the fruit of a single creative vision and a process nurtured over years of dedication.
More than an illustrated novel, this is a project where authorship is manifested in its full form: the text and the image are born from the same mind, developing in an intrinsic and inseparable dialogue. The fusion of the roles of Author, Illustrator, Graphic Designer, and Layout Artist is not a coincidence, but a deliberate choice that guarantees absolute cohesion and a complete immersion into the universe of Ul’Zhaari.
It is the hand of the creator himself that weaves the narrative and sculpts the visuals, selects the font and arranges the elements on the page, ensuring that the atmosphere, emotion, and mystery of the grimoire are felt in every detail. The result is a cohesive and organic artistic object where form and content are inseparably intertwined.
“The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari” is not just a book to be read, but an experience to be lived—an artifact from a world brought to life through the passion and skill of a single visionary, who signs every aspect of this masterpiece as his own extension.
In this video, I present the fantastic world of The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari, an ancestral novel that interweaves three generations of women guardians of magic, in a visual and poetic narrative aimed at a young audience.
Project Highlights
- Book 100% created, illustrated, designed, and produced by a single artist.
- Original art on every page: over 2,000 handcrafted illustrations.
- Custom calligraphy and legible typography with a classic aesthetic, designed for a comfortable reading experience with full accentuation.
- A mythological narrative with female empowerment and a young adult appeal.
- A visual style that evokes ancient grimoires and secret manuscripts.
- A poetic fable about reconnecting with the feminine sacred, memory, and time.
- It’s not just a story—it’s an artifact of the imagination.
An immersive look into the book’s visual development, including calligraphy, iconography, maps, and graphic choices that reinforce the work’s mythological and symbolic universe.
About the Author
João Butoh is an interdisciplinary artist with a strong background in visual arts and corporeality. He develops projects that masterfully blend cinema, literature, theater, dance, drawing, and symbolism.
With a wide-ranging international career, he has participated in productions and presented his work at performing arts festivals in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, Portugal, England, the United States, Australia, Argentina, Mexico, and Ecuador. His work has received significant awards and recognition across four continents.
In 2020, his talent gained worldwide acclaim with the film “Aleph,” which he produced and directed. The film went on to win 130 awards at 198 international film festivals in 36 countries, establishing his reputation as a visionary creator.
His most recent and comprehensive work, “The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari,” is a testament to his artistic vision. This unique project—an authentic Artist’s Book—is the result of years of dedicated research into mythology, identity, and the visual forms of ancestry. By creating the entire work, from narrative and illustrations to design and layout, João Butoh offers a powerful example of how a singular creative vision can manifest as a cohesive and immersive cultural artifact.
This piece is not just a book; it is a poetic and symbolic experience that resonates with the urgency of our time. It embodies a commitment to narratives that unite imagination, courage, diversity, and emotional connection, echoing the values sought by modern audiences and cultural supporters worldwide.
João Butoh
Why Sponsor
- The work is approved under the Rouanet Law by the Ministry of Culture of Brazil, with the possibility of a tax deduction (Art. 18) for companies that pay Income Tax in Brazil.
- Focus on a young/teen audience with high engagement in fantasy narratives.
- A project with a strong visual identity and the potential to stand out at fairs, bookstores, schools, and on social media.
- The opportunity for brand display as a cultural supporter in promotional materials and in the printed edition of the book.
- Sponsoring this project is helping to re-enchant the world.
- More than a book: a cultural experience that resonates with your brand’s values.
Institutional Closing with Potential for Supporting Brands. This version was designed with a dedicated space for the sponsor’s logo, harmoniously integrating its visual identity with the project’s.
A cultural project that needs your support.
We are looking for a brand that values narratives uniting imagination, courage, diversity, and emotional connection—a brand that supports the powerful roles of inspiring female characters rooted in magical and symbolic worlds.
The Grimoire of Ul’Zhaari shares this mission:
- Strong and diverse female lead characters, with three central figures on journeys of transformation.
- A mythopoetic narrative that creates an original mythology with Brazilian roots and universal elements.
- A young audience connected to fantasy aesthetics such as fae core, dark academia, and contemporary spirituality.
Institutional Return for the Sponsor
- Logo inclusion on the book’s back cover, slipcover, and credits page
- Inclusion on promotional audiovisual materials
- Inclusion in press releases
- Inclusion on the project’s official social media accounts and website
- Possibility of an exclusive special edition with co-branding
- Highlight as a supporter of a project of high artistic, cultural, and educational relevance
Distribution and Impact Plan
- Free Distribution to Public Libraries, Schools, and Cultural Institutions. – Total of books to be donated: 1,350
- Ceará – Fortaleza / Pernambuco – Recife / Alagoas – Maceió / Bahia – Salvador / Minas Gerais – Tiradentes / Rio de Janeiro – Parati / Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro / São Paulo – Ribeirão Preto / São Paulo – São Paulo / São Paulo – São Simão.
- Donation of 300 books to the sponsor. – According to the Rouanet Law, for projects that result in the production of goods like books, it is permitted to allocate up to 10% of the resulting products to sponsors.
Created to touch the hearts of young people, hungry for depth, beauty, and a sense of belonging.
A project that will reach schools, libraries, and literary fairs with the strength of a symbolic legacy.
Technical Information
Book Interior:
- Size: 25 cm x 33 cm
- Page count: over 500
- Material: Coated paper
- Printing: Full-color
- Binding: Sewn binding
- Illustrations: Approximately 2,000
Hardcover and Finishing:
- Size: 25.5 cm x 33.5 cm
- Material: Synthetic leather
- Debossing on illustrative elements and arabesques
- Gold foil stamping on the title and details
- Gilded page edges
- Customized endpapers
- Built-in ribbon bookmark (red)
- Numbered edition
Slipcase:
- Coated paper – 4 colors
Quantity:
- 3,000 units
Total Project Value:
- US$ 100.000,00