How to Wrap Five More Eggs: Traditional Japanese Packaging

by Hideyuki Oka, Michikazu Sakai (Photographer)

From the jacket:

Could there be a more unlikely subject for an amazingly successful book than traditional Japanese packaging? And yet, when Hideyuki Oka's How to Wrap Five Eggs appeared in 1967, the almost unanimous reaction might be summed up as: "utterly delightful!" And the exclamation is even truer of the present namesake of that earlier book: it not only retains the favorite photographs but adds much new material based upon the author's continuing research.

What is the explanation for the undiminishing interest in Mr. Oka's books? The eminent American designers George Nelson suggested one answer when he wrote as follows in his foreword to the earlier book: "We have come a long, long way from the kind of thing so beautifully presented in this book. To suit the needs of super mass production, the traditional natural materials are too obstreperous...and one by one we have replaced them with the docile, predictable synthetics....What we have gained from these [new] materials and wonderfully complicated processes to make up for the general pollution, rush, crowding, noise, sickness, and slickness is a subject for other forums. But what we have lost for sure is what this book is all about: a once-common sense of fitness in the relationships between hand, material, use, and shape, and above all, a sense of delight in the look and feel of very ordinary, humble things. This book is thus...a totally unexpected monument to a culture, a way of life, a universal sensibility carried through all objects down to the smallest, most inconsequential, and ephemeral things."

Another question, implicit throughout the book, has been put thus by Mr. Oka: "If the craftsmen and 'designers' of old Japan could create beauty with their materials, are we today to accept defeat when faced with ours?"

But beyond all questions and words and theories there always remains the sheer visual appeal of the book's 244 photographs in matte gravure and full color. The book is indeed a feast for the eyes.

Genres: Japan, Design, Art, Nonfiction

215 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing. The scraps of information about each packaging both informed, and were contextualized by, other non-fiction books about Japanese culture I have read. One more little jigsaw piece to make my understanding richer.

The limitations of the book reflect the time in which it was published: mostly b&w plates, descriptions in the back.

Recommended.

[Alpha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really know how to start reviewing this book. It's really just a huge book of pictures of Japanese packaging. As I read it (if the act of looking at each picture could be called reading), I would be struck by the design of a package every so often, but I skimmed through much of the book not knowing what the package was for. There is an appendix of sorts at the end explaining the pictures, but I really wish the blurbs had been included with the pictures. So, I guess it's pretty nifty, but not nifty enough for me to flip back and forth between picture and appendix. If the blurbs had been nearer the pictures, I probably would've given this another star.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book on an obscure subject, at least in English.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully-photographed record of wrapping - both sophisticated and rustic - from Japan. Clear, timeless photography and just enough text. This book replaces Oka's first work on the subject, How To Wrap Five Eggs. It's a brilliant meditation on packaging that, while becoming less prevalent, certainly hasn't disappeared, and shows how cling-wrap has robbed us of some simple beauty.

I don't really understand people giving this book a low score, or complaining that the information about the images was kept at the rear of the book: it's still in the same book, and when removed from the images ensures that the flow of the work - and the ability to consider each piece of packaging for its aesthetics, rather than its purpose - would seem to me to be very in keeping with the Japanese appreciation for design.

It's not a how-to manual, but I don't believe (short of a possible mistranslation of the title) it ever has presented itself as such.

So: if you want a how-to guide, this isn't one. If you want to see some beautiful packaging with a little backstory to each, this is primo material.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished looking through the most fascinating picture book. A later version of Oka Hideyuki's book "How To Wrap Five More Eggs," (1965) "How To Wrap Five Eggs"(1967) was, for me, a wistful look at how things were wrapped in a younger Japan. Small as my apartment is, I would love to have some of those wrappings for the simple beauty of them.

One treat I found was in the author's commentaries on the plates.Pages 195 and 196 were switched with pages 201 and 202.They were also upside down. I couldn't stop giggling as I looked back and forth, reading about the plates while turning the book upside down and right side up. Why yes, I -AM- a weird Old Bat. I thought you knew.

At any rate, I'd recommend the book for the enjoyment of looking at pictures of simple things that are simply beautiful.

[Kristen]

This is a collection of photographs showing traditional Japanese wrapping and packaging. Containers are made of sectioned bamboo, folded paper. This is a thought provoking book in this age of "green" packaging, nothing is as beautiful or truly environmentally friendly as the packages shown here. The book's title comes from the packaging of five uncooked eggs in twisted strands of rice straw, beautiful, effective and "green".

[Ray Quirolgico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is much more than a collection of beautiful photos of wrapped objects. The commentary provides a contemplative meditation on the nature of objects, the intention of giving, the nature of human kindness and personal relationships. Surprisingly warm and inspiring, for what might otherwise appear to be a boo about product design.

[Agnes Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read, browse the pictures in this book over and over again. It gives me inspirations to make do with whatever I have to wrap, store or carry stuffs. I already borrowed from the library many times to the point of almost hogging the book. I am so sorry but I will borrow again if I see the loan dates are awhile ago.

[Devin · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the title of the book I assumed that this book would provide instructions. This is just a picture book.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop looking at this book and how perfect and organic traditional japanese packing is. seems all things should fit like this: ideas, people.

[Relyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really?? REALLY???

YEESH!!

[Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interesting packages, but would have be nice to have the description of the contents closer than the appendix.

[Beth Quittman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for some actual 'How', not just pictures.

[Noreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presentation is important in Japanese living. Must have a Zen origin? Creative and Original. Relaxing book for browsing.