In Search of the Spirit: The Living National Treasures of Japan - Hardcover

Hamanaka, Sheila; Ohmi, Ayano

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688146074 ISBN 13: 9780688146078

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1999

Synopsis

After World War II the Japanese government designated as Living National Treasures men and women who had devoted their lives to traditional Japanese crafts and performing arts. For this superlative book the authors visited six of these extraordinary artists, then blended a brief, illuminating text with color photographs, calligraphy, and illustrated sections to convey the essence of each art form. Readers will visit backstage at a Bunraku puppet theater, learn how the famous Japanese swords are made, and much more!

2000 Notable Children's Books (ALA), Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, and National Council for SS & Child. Book Council, Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council

About this title

About the Authors

Sheila Hamanaka is an award-winning fine artist whose work has also appeared in Scholastic magazines as well as in Permanent Connections by Sue Ellen Bridgers and Barbara Campbell's Taking Care of Yoki. Ms. Hamanaka lives in Tappan, New York.

Sheila Hamanaka is an award-winning fine artist whose work has also appeared in Scholastic magazines as well as in Permanent Connections by Sue Ellen Bridgers and Barbara Campbell's Taking Care of Yoki. Ms. Hamanaka lives in Tappan, New York.

Reviews

Grade 4 Up-In the 1950s, the Japanese government, concerned that ancient traditions were dying out in the mechanized postwar era, created a program to honor elders practicing age-old crafts and performing arts. To date, some 100 men and women have been designated Living National Treasures, receiving grants to continue their life's work and to train apprentices. This elegant, beautifully designed book introduces six of these people, all men: a yuzen dyer who decorates silk kimonos, a bamboo weaver, a Bunraku puppet master, a sword maker, a Noh actor, and a potter. They did not learn from textbooks, but have succeeded through hard work, lifelong training, and, most importantly, "the seeds of feeling" in their hearts. Bold, red calligraphy and a large, full-color photo of the craft or performer at work open several pages of lyrical, informative text about each artist. Abundant, well-chosen photos are presented in layouts that stunningly utilize white space. A spread that describes clearly in words and illustrations the basic steps of the art form follows each sketch. This is a book to savor.
Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In the aftermath of WWII and the loss of many of its ancient monuments and works of art, Japan gave grants to the elders committed to the traditional arts to continue their crafts and to mentor others. Hamanaka and Ohmi offer a rare glimpse of these master craftsmen of Japan, or "Living National Treasures." The authors interviewed half a dozen diverse artisans: a yuzen dyer (who designs and dyes kimono fabrics), a bamboo weaver, a Bunraku puppet master, a sword maker, a Noh actor and a potter. Each brief biography tells how the artist chose the discipline (or how the discipline chose the artist), and the clear, compelling accounts brim with bits of wisdom from the masters as well as information about the culture and history of Japan. Photographs of the artists and their studios, materials, handiwork and performances precede a step-by-step "more about" section demonstrating each practice. Whether explaining how the steel for a Japanese sword is folded and pounded into a million layers or what different fan gestures mean in traditional Noh drama, this is top-notch nonfiction. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

PLB 0-688-14608-2 With sustained reverence, Hamanaka (Bebop-A-Do-Walk!, 1995, etc.) and Ohmi present portraits of six artists who are among Japan's ``Living National Treasures,'' for perpetuating traditions that seemed to erode after WWII. The introduction states that ``over one hundred men and women'' hold the honored title; these profiles of six mena yuzen dyer (or kimono artist), bamboo weaver, puppet master, sword maker, Noh actor, and potterare fascinating. Readers will be amazed to learn that most of the artists had to break with the traditions of their families to preserve the traditions of their culture. Firsthand interviews, the history of these arts, and the details about the workmanship pepper the text while the elegant design complements the well-organized information, full-color photographs, and drawings of some of the processes involved. More than simply the stories of six men and their painstaking dedication, this book is a unique meditation on Japanese history and culture. (Nonfiction. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0688146074
• ISBN 13: 9780688146078
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Hamanaka Sheila
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48