Japanese Design: From Asahi to Zen

by Sarah Lonsdale, Alex MacDonald (Photographer), Mitchell Coster (Photographer)

This timely collection of the best of madern Japan is an authoritative introduction to the country's contemporary design, and the histories behind them.

Genres: Design

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2002

Reviews

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve long been fascinated by the (to Westerners) strangenesses of Japanese culture and society, and I’m also interested in “life style” design, so I was particularly taken with this book. Each of the beautifully illustrated chapters deals with one aspect of the Japanese approach to the visual -- fashion, architecture, interiors, food and drink, transport, consumer products, housewares, communication and packaging, and transport -- and the author gives as much attention to the social psychology behind Japanese traditions and interpretations as to the art and design itself, examining Japan’s communitarian aspects and the tension between colorful individualism and finely developed herd instinct. A terrific book.