Rossella Menegazzo

The first and only survey of Japanese design as seen through the lens of Japans traditional colour spectrum an exquisitely packaged fresh take on a universally popular topicThe traditional colours of Japan have been in use since the seventh century, originally to indicate rank and social hierarchy but, over time, their significance has broadened to include all manner of designed objects. This landmark volume celebrates a curated selection of 200 colours (iro in Japanese), with each traditional shade illustrated by one or more items ranging from 16th-century kimonos to contemporary chairs, humble kitchen utensils to precious ceramics providing a unique route to a deeper appreciation of Japanese design. Expertly bound in a traditional Japanese style, this stunning book is a beautiful design object in its own right and is a must-have for all lovers of design.

Una cultura fascinante e imprescindible reunida en un volumen compacto profusamente ilustrado. Una civilización milenaria que nos ha legado gran cantidad de obras artísticas, arquitectónicas y restos arqueologicos, y cuya decisiva influencia aun puede apreciarse en nuestros dias. Para una consulta facil y comoda, la obra esta organizada por apartados tematicos como los poderes y la vida publica, la divinidad y la religion o el mundo de los muertos. Tambien incluye mapas y cronologias, asi como informacion sobre los museos donde se pueden admirar las obras mas destacadas de esta deslumbrante cultura.

Con sus aparentes contrastes, su peculiar cultura y sus conocimientos transmitidos secularmente, Japón siempre ha fascinado al mundo, tanto que ha pasado a formar parte de nuestro estilo de vida: de la gastronomia a la moda, de la tecnologia a la literatura. Este volumen retrata el pais del Sol Naciente de una forma poco convencional, adentrandose en fenomenos y personajes, lugares, mitos y aspectos historico-culturales que nos permiten comprender mejor su identidad; un viaje rico en contenidos, fotografias y curiosidades.Arte: Desde los grabados historicos de Hokusai hasta los grandes maestros contemporaneos.Gastronomia: Combina tradiciones ancestrales con las tecnicas mas modernas y esta reconocida como patrimonio de la Unesco y apreciada por su cuidado estetico y su equilibrio nutricional.Cine, literatura, teatro y danza: Claves para entender los temas y las tendencias de cuatro formas artisticas que han infl uido en el mundo.La moda: Un itinerario que parte del kimono tradicional para presentar a la pasarela de la moda grandes fi rmas como Issey Miyake y Yohji Yamamoto.El mundo de la animacion y el manga: De Astro Boy a Totoro pasando por One Piece, un universo fantastico que ha conquistado a generaciones enteras.La espiritualidad: A traves de ritos y ceremonias, lugares sagrados, formas de oracion y meditacion, se revela el lado filosofico y mistico de Japon.

Through some 250 objects this book explores contemporary Japanese design: from everyday objects and packaging to interior design and lighting elements. Ultimately the book aims to explore the way in which Japanese design manages to harness its materials whether natural or synthetic and at the same time combines respect for tradition with forward-thinking and experimentation.The objects featured were chosen because of their strong Japanese character and the influence this ''Japaneseness'' has had on Western culture. Rather than following a chronological order or concentrating on the designers, this book focuses on the objects and is categorized by material, highlighting the strong link between design and material in Japan.There will be a general introduction and then each section will have its own individual introduction:Wood, Bamboo & LacquerPaperMetalFabric & TextilesCeramicSynthetic/new materialsThe book will include examples from some of the most important Japanese designers from Sori Yanagi and Shiro Kuramata to Naoto Fukasawa and Tokujin Yoshioka and there will be an introductory essay about Japanese design by Kenya Hara.