Böcker av Manami Okazaki

An inside look at kokeshi dolls: from the skilled woodworkers behind their design to their important cultural significance. Kokeshi are the simple and charming traditional Japanese dolls characterized by their cylindrical shape and lack of arms and legs. Historically made as children's toys in Japan's northern region of Tohoku, they have now become a popular collector's item and have even inspired famous architects and artists. In this visual guide, readers will find: An overview of the different types of dollsHow kokeshi dolls are crafted, including information on tools and woods usedInterviews with leading kokeshi craftspeople worldwideDetailed information about both traditional dolls and the modern ones being crafted todayAn exploration of the cultural significance of kokeshi dolls--both historically and for the areas of northern Japan that rebuilt themselves after their region was decimated by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011A guide to visiting Japan's kokeshi regionsInformation on how to buy the dolls--either directly from Japanese artisans or stockists worldwideFilled with artist interviews, gorgeous photos and firsthand travel experience, author Manami Okazaki has created a book to be enjoyed by all--from serious collectors to woodcrafters, interior designers, architects, armchair travelers and anyone with an interest in Japanese culture and travel.

Read this book if you want to find out just how crazy Japan is about cats.

As fascinating and colorful as its subject, this visually striking celebration of Japanese food shows the importance of aesthetics in everything, from haute cuisine to vending machines. In Japan, where a meal is typically described as a feast for the eyes, food is a matter of national identity and heritage. Oishii! (which means 'delicious' in English) explores the aesthetics of the country's cuisine from a variety of perspectives, including interviews with world-famous chefs, scholars, designers, popular home cooks, patisserie chefs, artists, and more. It looks at Japanese food through the seasons; traces contemporary trends such as bento boxes and kawaii character cafés; takes readers to destinations like the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum and the fish roe-themed Mentai Park; and dives into culturally-specific phenomena including plastic display food, manga, and vending machines. Japanese culture expert Manami Okazaki offers a kaleidoscopic investigation of every aspect of the nation's cuisine, resulting in a book that is both comprehensive and contemporary. Filled with hundreds of photographs, it's packed tighter than a bento box with fun and useful information.

"In an age when so much of our time is spent staring at screens, it is easy to understand why the warmth, intimacy and idiosyncrasies of hand craftsmanship should seem alluring...the term Mingei describes useful, unobtrusive, beautifully crafted objects." --Alice Rawsthorn, The New York Times The Mingei Folk Crafts movement, founded by philosopher and art historian Soetsu Yanagi and potters Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro in the early 20th century, celebrates the utilitarian designs in functional objects hand-crafted by village artisans throughout Japan. This book offers an illustrated guide to Japan's rich folk craft traditions and shows why the Mingei philosophy is even more relevant today than it was a century ago. Folk crafts have become associated with the Slow Life movement and the Wabi Sabi philosophy which values simple and imperfect items above the bright and shiny mass-produced objects of our modern culture. This book introduces 34 fascinating Japanese folk craft traditions--ranging from popular, widely-known ones to many lesser-known crafts that are equally exquisite but rarely seen. The crafts covered here include: Aizome Hand-dyed Indigo Textiles which use the leaves of the indigo plant to produce a rich, deep-blue colorBizen, the unique unglazed pottery with an earthy, rustic appearance--and simple, charming designsChochin Lanterns made of handmade washi paper stretched over a bamboo frame, found outside restaurants and temples, including the famous example at the entrance to Tokyo's Sensoji TempleEdo Furin Wind Chimes made of delicate hand-blown glass, one of the iconic symbols--and sounds--of the hot and humid Japanese summersInuharuko Papier Mache Toy Dogs, adorable pups that have acted as good-luck symbols since the Edo periodManeki Neko Beckoning Cats, one of the most popular folk crafts in Japan, with their right paw raised to bring in money and good luckTenugui Cloths, dyed using the chusen method to provide delicate color gradations and used as kitchen cloths, for wrapping or to wear as a scarf, as well as for framing since they are so beautiful!> This beautifully-illustrated book will be treasured by folk art collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. It features 400 color photographs and a comprehensive guide to buying Japanese folk crafts both inside and outside Japan.