Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Exceptional Beauty and Significance

by Nicholas Bornoff, Michael Freeman (Photographer)

Overview

Traditional Japanese design imbues objects with a sense of history and artistry that easily reaches across cultural boundaries. In Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Extraordinary Beauty and Significance, author Nicholas Bornoff and photographer Michael Freeman examine over 60 traditional objects that are uniquely Japanese, deftly illustrating their beauty and significance.

• Beautifully crafted samurai swords
• Elegant wooden tansu chests
• Elaborate tea ceremony implements
• Exquisitely carved netsuke toggles
• Fabulous silk-and-gold embroidered kimonos

Each item is described in loving detail alongside lovely full-color photographs that highlight the great artistry and craftsmanship in everyday items used by real people in traditional Japan. Things Japanese is the perfect book for Japanese antique collectors or anyone interested in Japanese art and the culture and history of Japan.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462913817
Publisher:	Periplus Editions
Publication date:	03/25/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	31 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Nicholas Bornoff was a film critic for the Japan Times for a decade and contributed articles about contemporary Japanese culture and society to various English-language magazines.

Michael Freeman has photographed extensively in Asia, both for magazines and for numerous books, including Japan Modern and China Home.

Table of Contents

	Foreword	6
	House and Garden	8
	Shikki	10
	Tansu	12
	Noren	14
	Yoshizu	16
	Byobu	18
	Shoji	20
	Ukiyo-e	22
	Tatami	24
	Futon	26
	Irori	28
	Hibachi	30
	Satsuma-yaki	32
	Imari-yaki	34
	Teaburi	36
	Hanakago	38
	Ishidoro	40
	Chozubachi	42
	Bonsai Basami	44
	Possessions and Clothing	46
	Nihon-to and Tsuba	48
	Kabuto	50
	Hanten or Happi	52
	Kimono	54
	Obi	56
	Netsuke and Ojime	58
	Hakimono	62
	Kushi and Kanzashi	66
	Inro	70
	Tabako	72
	Bunbogu	74
	Furoshiki	78
	Ogi	80
	Kasa	82
	Eating, Drinking and Entertainment	84
	O-hashi	86
	Nihon-shu	88
	Hyotan	92
	Yoji-ire	94
	Tetsubin	96
	Karuta	98
	Igo	100
	Nohmen	102
	Wagakki	104
	Ningyo Joruri	106
	Karakuri	108
	Custom and Religion	110
	Shimenawa	112
	Ema	114
	Hasu-no-hana	116
	Jizo Bosatsu	118
	Chochin	120
	Maneki-neko	122
	Tanuki	124
	O-mamori	126
	Koi Nobori	128
	Origami	130
	Hina Ningyo	132
	Cha Dogu	134
	Ko and Koro	138
	Bibliography, Glossary, Credits	142

Editorial Reviews

"It offers an in-depth guide to those little things that you see all over Japan, but don't know what they mean, how they came about, or how they came about, or even why they happen to be placed where they are. " —1000 Things About Japan blog

"If you are looking for an introduction on Japanese everyday items from the past or just have a vague curiosity on the things you see in anime or when you had that summer vacation in Japan, this book will give you that and more." —Katsu News

"Things Japanese is an incredibly well designed and written book, and is an absolute pleasure to dip into. It will become something of a permanent fixture on my coffee table, as well as being an invaluable resource for my blog posts about Japanese culture." —Haiku Girl blog

"This is a must have book for any fan of Japanese culture and art." —Japan Australia blog

"The book would be invaluable to anyone planning a trip to Japan and wanting to have a good grounding in the meanings of much of what you will see and experience." —Japan Visitor

From the Publisher