Handmade in Japan PDF Download

Author: Gestalten
Publisher: Gestalten
ISBN: 9783899559927
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Discover the exceptional artistry and rich traditions being kept alive by Japanese artisans in the twenty-first century. In an era where global interest in handmade, small-batch products is heightening as a response to mass production, Handmade in Japan takes a look inside the workshops of the country's artisans, revealing their endless pursuit of excellence, and what it means to dedicate one's life to the stewardship of irreplaceable cultural heritage. International readers with an appreciation for handmade processes using sustainable materials will find inspiration in the exploration of craft ecosystems, such as the harvesting of natural lacquer in Iwate. Likewise, those who admire skill and beauty will enjoy discovering the lengths these makers go to in ensuring every product is perfect.

Author: Japan Craft Forum
Publisher: Kodansha
ISBN:
Category : Art, Japanese
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
This is the first book to present today's traditional crafts under one cover and the first and only guide to the contemporary craft centers of Japan. A monumental effort seven years in the making, the Japan Crafts Sourcebook catalogs an array of items found throughout the country and discusses their history, background, and contemporary standing. An insightful introduction by Diane Durston delves into the intricacies of Japanese craft and contemplates the future of Japan's ongoing artisan traditions. With over ninety items from all genres - textiles, ceramics, wood, bamboo, lacquer, paper, and metal - and a wealth of illustrations, the Japan Crafts Sourcebook provides the perfect introduction to this cherished but vanishing world, and will prove invaluable for artists, craftspeople, designers, researchers, and lovers of the handmade object everywhere.

Author: Hermann Candahashi
Publisher: tredition
ISBN: 3384125894
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
Dear readers, I am pleased to present to you, after a longer time of research and preparation, my new book on Japanese craftsmanship. Like all the creations within it, this book adheres to the principle of Wabi-Sabi and cannot illuminate all facets and characteristics of this vast realm of Japanese traditions. Nevertheless, it may be suitable to inspire you to further explore aspects of these fascinating art forms. If I succeed in this with you, I would have achieved my goal. An excerpt: "Japanese craftsmanship possesses the unique ability to blend artistry and functionality. It spans from the traditional tea ceremony to intricately crafted ceramics, from finely carved woodwork to breathtaking textiles. These traditions are passed down from generation to generation, serving as expressions not only of skill but also of deep cultural and religious significance. Imperfection in them is not seen as failure, as it might be in Western countries, but rather as a path to a rarely attained perfection. A key aspect of Japanese craftsmanship is the reverence for nature and simplicity. Many artisans draw inspiration from nature, whether it be the elegant line of a bonsai tree or the flowing movement of a koi fish. This connection to nature is reflected not only in the motifs but also in the materials used. Wood, bamboo, paper, and silk often form the foundation for these artistic creations. The transmission of craftsmanship occurs in specialized workshops, where masters of their craft pass on their skills to apprentices. These apprenticeships are characterized by dedication, discipline, and a profound respect for the craft. Apprentices not only learn the technical skills but also the philosophy behind each technique. It is this fusion of technique and spirituality that makes Japanese craftsmanship truly unique. One of the most fascinating examples of traditional craftsmanship in Japan is the art of Kintsugi, the repair of ceramics with a mixture of gold or silver lacquer. Instead of hiding the breakages, they are accentuated with precious metals, adding not only an aesthetic element but also conveying a philosophical message – the beauty of repair and the appreciation for the impermanent. In the upcoming chapters, we will delve into the various facets of Japanese craftsmanship, from the intricate Noh masks to the precise artistry of Samurai swords. Join us on a journey through centuries of tradition and innovation as we explore the legacy of Japanese craftsmanship..."

Author: Elizabeth Kiritani
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462904270
Category : Crafts & Hobbies
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
This classic text of Japanese culture contains a wealth of information about traditional Japan and Japanese customs. Pawnshops and handmade paper, shoe shiners and Shinto jugglers, money rakes and mosquito netting--all these were once a familiar part of daily life in Japan. Many elements of that daily life, like the Obon dances and oreiboko apprenticeships, have no counterpart in any other culture: they are purely unique to Japan. But with the tremendous changes of the modern age, most traces of traditional life in Japan are fast disappearing, soon to be gone forever. Still, there are a few holdouts, especially in Japan's shitamachi, or working-class neighborhoods, where many of the survivors of Japanese crafts, art forms, and festivals are making their last stand. Vanishing Japan is a must-read for tourists, historians, architects, or artists who are interested in Japanese culture.

Author: Azby Brown
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462913784
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
The Genius of Japanese Carpentry tells the story of the 1200-year-old Yakushiji monastery in Nara and the dedicated modern-day craftsmen who are working to restore what has been lost to the depredations of time, fire and warfare. Although the full monastery reconstruction will not be completed until 2030, one of the main temples, the Picture Hall, has been completely restored employing the same woodworking technology used to create the original building. This new edition of an architectural classic is by Azby Brown—one of the world's leading experts on Japanese architecture. It contains a new preface and many new text materials and photographs—most of them now available in color for the first time. Azby Brown chronicles the painstaking restoration of the temple through extensive interviews with the carpenters and woodworkers along with original drawings based on the plans of master carpenter Tsunekazu Nishioka. An inspiring testament to the dedication of these craftsmen and their philosophy of carpentry work as a form of personal fulfillment, The Genius of Japanese Carpentry offers detailed documentation of this singular project and a moving reminder of the unique cultural continuity found in Japan.

Author: Morgan Pitelka
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824862740
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
Handmade Culture is the first comprehensive and cohesive study in any language to examine Raku, one of Japan’s most famous arts and a pottery technique practiced around the world. More than a history of ceramics, this innovative work considers four centuries of cultural invention and reinvention during times of both political stasis and socioeconomic upheaval. It combines scholarly erudition with an accessible story through its lively and lucid prose and its generous illustrations. The author’s own experiences as the son of a professional potter and a historian inform his unique interdisciplinary approach, manifested particularly in his sensitivity to both technical ceramic issues and theoretical historical concerns. Handmade Culture makes ample use of archaeological evidence, heirloom ceramics, tea diaries, letters, woodblock prints, and gazetteers and other publications to narrate the compelling history of Raku, a fresh approach that sheds light not only on an important traditional art from Japan, but on the study of cultural history itself.

Author: Stephen Addiss
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 9780824828783
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
Compiled in this volume is original material on Japanese arts and culture from the prehistoric era to the Meiji Restoration (1867). These sources, including many translated here for the first time, are placed in their historical context and outfitted with brief commentaries, allowing the reader to make connections to larger concepts and values found in Japanese culture. This book contains material on the visual and literary arts, as well as primary texts on topics not easily classified in Western categories, such as the martial and culinary arts, the art of tea, and flower arranging. More than sixty color and black-and-white illustrations enrich the collection and provide further insights into Japanese artistic and cultural values. Also included are a bibliography of English-language and Japanese sources and an extensive list of suggested further readings.

Author: Michael Dunn
Publisher: 5 Continents Editions
ISBN:
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
This title covers a huge range of Japanese traditional crafts - both historic and contemporary. It includes a comprehensive introductory essay and a glossary of Japanese terms.

Author: Christopher Dresser
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486279928
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 482

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Book Description
Great Victorian classic offers unsurpassed coverage of architecture, ornament, pottery, calligraphy, drawing, lacquerware, metalware, textiles, religious symbols and more. Fascinating insights into Japanese culture: dancing girls, hara-kiri, tea-drinking ceremony, shrines and scenery, vegetation, etc. Over 200 exquisitely drawn illustrations. A delight for art and antique collectors, art historians, crafts enthusiasts, any lover of Japan.

Author: David Young
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462906575
Category : Photography
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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Book Description
The Art of Japanese Architecture presents a complete overview of Japanese architecture in its historical and cultural context. The book begins with a discussion of early prehistoric dwellings and concludes with a description of works by important modern Japanese architects. Along the way it discusses the iconic buildings and architectural styles for which Japan is so justly famous--from elegant Shinden and Sukiya aristocratic villas like the Kinkakuji "Golden Pavilion" in Kyoto, to imposing Samurai castles like Himeji and Matsumoto, and tranquil Zen Buddhist gardens and tea houses to rural Minka thatched-roof farmhouses and Shinto shrines. Each period in the development of Japan's architecture is described in detail and the most important structures are shown and discussed--including dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The aesthetic trends in each period are presented within the context of Japanese society at the time, providing a unique in-depth understanding of the way Japanese architectural styles and buildings have developed over time and the great variety that is visible today. The book is profusely illustrated with hundreds of hand-drawn 3D watercolor illustrations and color photos as well as prints, maps and diagrams. The new edition features dozens of new photographs and a handy hardcover format that is perfect for travelers.