Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Exceptional Beauty and Significance

Love the photos and the author's explanation of Things Japanese. I inherited many things from my mother and didn't know the history of them, until I read this book. Lovely coffee table book that provides beautiful photos, short-sweet, but detailed history & uses of everyday things I associate with Japan--tea ceremony items, shoji screens, kimonos & dolls. It also documents unusal items most Westerners don't know about--wooden chests, masks and entrance curtains.You won't regret purchasing this beautiful book.

In great conditon

This is a good introduction to the world of Japanese crafts. It is well worth your investment and time.

Fun book that gave me some new wish list/project ideas.

Bought as gift and I know it has been read cover to cover several times.

beautifully illustrated and well chosen examples

This book contains information on many Japanese articles. I am very happy to have it and will use it as a reference book.

So interesting and enlightening

This is a book about artifacts that the authors consider to occupy a special place in Japanese culture: umbrellas, chopsticks, braziers, clogs-all manner of items. They are beautifully photographed and presented but what thrills me about this book is the written description, history and importance of the item, that accompanies the photos. These area all encompassing, informative, lucidly written without being stuffy or high brow.I thought I knew a lot about Japanese 'things' but the extra information the authors bring to this book is just wonderful. For example, I've often read that chopsticks should never be thrust, upright into a bowl of rice as this is considered bad manners since it relates to Japanese funerary rites. I could never understand why this was the case. But this is repeated here but with the added information that it is because they look like burning incense sticks, stuck into bowls fill with sand at Japanese funerals. Brilliant! The book is printed on excellent bright white, heavy paper, the images are crisp and excitingly colourful and the book is large without being cumbersome. If I had to be critical I'd suggest it could be improved by having legends to the images explaining any interesting designs or telling you something more about the artifacts, but this isn't a big criticism.I sincerely hope the authors write another book about other 'Japanese Things'-I'd pre-order it now! Highly recommended and would make a delightful Christmas present for the Japanophile in your family!

Good book arrived on time

Excellent book!

If you are fascinated by Japan, you will love this book. Well written , with wonderful pictures it is a must have for your library