Takumi: Downtown Tokyo Artisan Culture - Hardcover

Okazaki, Manami

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9881250765 ISBN 13: 9789881250766

Publisher: Kingyo Press, 2019

View all copies of this ISBN edition

1 Used

From US$ 10.90

0 New

Takumi: Downtown Tokyo Artisan Culture looks at 32 artisan ateliers in the shitamachi district of Tokyo; the traditional commoner and merchant region of the Edo era. The book will feature craftspeople working out of small studios across downtown, creating exquisite items by hand. This is a rare glimpse into these spaces; from screen makers, kimono dyers, washi paper makers to glass blowers, presented in an accessible, lavish tome. With hundreds of photos, Takumi: Downtown Tokyo Artisan Culture offers a visual tour into downtown artisan life, with a focus on places that even a casual tourist can also visit as well. Interviews with the craftspeople also provide insight into the philosophy of the Japanese artisan.

While many travelers will visit the Asakusa area to marvel at Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, most visitors are unaware of the rich culture that is present beyond the tourist areas. The region has retained many of the craft traditions of the Edo era, and the book also looks at aspects of urbanism such as bathhouses, shotengai shopping streets and nagaya architecture to highlight the inter-connectivity of all aspects of “old Tokyo” life.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Manami Okazaki is a freelance journalist based in Japan. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines internationally. She has written 11 books on Japanese culture such as Kokeshi, From Tohoku with Love, Wabori, Traditional Japanese Tattoo, Kimono Now and Land of the Rising Cat. Her books represent her work with over 250 craftspeople across Japan, ranging from ceramics makers to exclusive kimono ateliers. She gives talks at cultural institutions internationally on Japanese culture and curates accessible and popular exhibitions with Japanese artisans that appeal to a contemporary audience. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University in Journalism.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.