The Name of Shapes

"Beautiful names that describes shapes"

The Name of Shapes introduces names of forms that are applied to pieces in traditional Japanese arts and crafts with simple and poetic words written by the author Natsuko Nose with new insights from her own experiences accompanied by beautiful and tranquil paintings by Aiko Hama.

Unlike Western Art, Japanese Art has placed the highest value on the inheritance of beauty of form rather than the uniqueness of single item. This is especially true of tea ceremony utensils, and there are many items that have been handed down to the present day as standard items, such as "Rikyu-style jujube" and "Kuro-raku tea bowls". This has given birth to a culture that is unique to Japan, such as "Mitate" ('to see an object, not in the form that was originally intended for it, but as another thing'), "Utsushi" (imitating the form and design of an existing original piece), and "Honka-dori" (a method of quoting motifs from artworks of the past).

The Name of Shapes is an exquisite, inspiring and informative book for anyone with an interest in design and patterns, and/or Japanese culture and history.

The main text is in both Japanese and English.

You may also like Natsuko's other book The Roots of Patterns-->
[SHORTDESCRIPTION]

• Measurements: 14.7cm × H21cm, 192 pages
• Author: Natsuko Nose
  
• Illustration: Aiko Hama
• Language: Japanese and English
• Publisher: Genkosha
• Printed in Japan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natsuko Nose is a freelance editor and writer who also helps her family's Tea Ceremony equipment supply business while she writes/publishes travel and tea ceremony themed books.
Natsuko is currently based in our local Mashiko town, in an exquisite traditional style house which she has decorated so beautifully with her exceptional taste.