Inspired Shapes: Contemporary Designs for Japan's Ancient Crafts

by Ori Koyama

The movement to bring contemporary sensibilities to Japan's traditional crafts-in stunning photographs and inspiring words.

Inspired Shapes is the first book to showcase the work of today's innovative Japanese craftspeople who are striving to keep their crafts viable, yet compatible with modern lifestyles and aesthetics. Author Ori Koyama searched throughout Japan to find the artists and works most representative of the
movement. What she found was truly
craftspeople, young and old, male and female, embracing the challenge of bringing new ideas and ways of thinking into harmony with tradition-often with startling results. They work in bamboo, glass, wood, paper, lacquer, metal, textiles, grasses, vines and earth. The one thing they all share is
their commitment to their work.

The book is organized by each section discusses a specific material and its relationship to Japanese tradition. The works themselves are presented in exquisite photographs by Mizuho Kuwata and complemented by illuminating descriptions and explanations, often in the words of the artists
themselves.

Inspired Shapes is not only a book about design, but a book about heritage and creativity. It celebrates fine workmanship, vibrant life and the need for both tradition and change.

BAMBOO

Light Screen
Susutake Bed
Knife and Fork
Baskets

WOOD

Camel Chest
Meditation Stool
Folding Desk

TEXTILE

Norens
Tapestry
Cushions

PAPER

Lamps
Wood Grain Writing Paper
Folding Screen
Paper Coil Bowl

METAL

Iron Kettle
Iron Candlestick
Iron Bookends
Silver Pitcher

LACQUER

Stacked Boxes
Stacked Cups
Pet Bottle

PLUS

GLASS
GRASSES
VINES
EARTH

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2005

Reviews

[Frederic]

Truly sensuous photos and objects here, particularly the textural detail photos that face each object page. Although organized around contemporary versions of traditional crafts, the themes of materials and structure are what really come out, to me.