Covering a wide range of traditional crafts made in Japan, this book examines how Japanese artisans have used raw natural materials and turned them into unique designs throughout history. The originality of Japanese design is revealed as resulting from a combination of forces-nature, the aesthetic principles of Zen in art, and the influence of tea masters on artistic expression. Hundreds of color photographs of crafts made from animal products (imported ivory, tortoise-shell, stag-antler, leather, and shark), vegetable products (wood, bamboo, lacquer, hemp, and linen), and mineral products (stone, ceramic, and metals) depict the work of these artisans.

About the Author:
Michael Dunn is the coauthor of The Art of East Asia. He was the curator for the exhibition Traditional Japanese Design: Five Tastes at the Japan Society in New York. He lives in Izu Peninsula, Japan.