Customer Reviews

Kimono as Art

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Years ago I was visiting the East coast and saw a book about Itchiku Kubota's landscape kimonos at a friend's house. It affected me so much that I tried to get my hands on a copy, but the exhibit was over, and the book was gone, too. My friend made colored copies of some of the kimonos in her book and framed them for me as a birthday present. Some years later, when tracking down out-of-print books became easier, I again tried to get my hands on the book, but could only find an earlier one that didn't include the landscapes.

So when I idly googled Kubota again this fall and found out that a new exhibit had prompted a new book, a summary of his life's work, I was thrilled. Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota is mine, all mine, and the work is just as beautiful as I remembered!

Kubota's magnum opus consisted of two phases: first, he spent 20 years refining a technique inspired by sixteenth-century dyed silk. Then he set about creating a series of landscapes representing subtle variations of the seasons and even times of day--he called it Symphony of Light.

This book shows each kimono both as a whole and in close-up. It also tells Itchuku Kubota's story, one which has the air of a fairy tale about it: the hero's quest. It's not always easy to grasp the powerful sense of being driven that can be an artist's companion in life, or the effort involved in creating, not just one work, but a lifetime's worth of work, especially when much of that work is truly a single work consisting of many linked pieces. There's a silken beauty to the life, the individual work, and the conjoined life's work, each a thing of light and shadow that can speak to those who are willing to see.

I am so very pleased to own this book!

Kubota's kimonos must stand on the highest pinnacle of textile art. Each one is masterpiece from the overall concept to the perfect detail work that brings that concept to life. This book gets as close to seeing them in person as all of the books of his work that I've seen so far. The pictures show each kimono (in this exhibit) with many of the details - as well as showing how Kubota made them. Ms. Gluckman's text is lucid and engaging. If you were not able to make it to San Diego (or Ohio) for this spectacular show, this is the next best thing!

OH MY... talk about major eye candy. If you like textiles, and if you like, art, you're going to be amazed. There is a museum dedicated to the late Itchiku Kubota in Japan, and clearly with good reason. Using dyes and threads, Kubota used the kimono form as his canvas. the series of landscapes continue the picture from one kimono to another in this visual feast. At the back of the book there is a brief description of how Kubota used shibori (a traditional Japanese method for resist-dyeing...for more information on the how's, check any book by Yoshiko Wada) as well as a timeline of his life.

I bought this volume sight unseen as a gift for my 90 year old mom who lived in and fell in love with Japan in 1946 and 47. I will have a hard time parting with it.... the quality of the photography does justice to the phenomenal art and vision in Kubota's artwork.

Tenacious is not the first word one would think of to describe an artist, yet how tenacious Itchiku Kubota must have been to have created the works so ably displayed in this book. His story and his supercallafragilistic art are both great sources of inspiration for the rest of us who only think we are struggling to create. If he is not already, Itchiku Kubota San deserves recognition as the national treasure he was. Teachers alert! This is definately a book for the inspiration shelf in your classroom or the place of honor on your coffee table.

Wow, what a fascinating and beautiful book! I loved looking at the artwork of the kimonos, with their incredible depictions of the seasons. The color is amazing! I appreciated the close-up shots that showcased the embroidery. I'd never heard of Itchiku Kubota until this book came through my department at work. What a treat!

Itchiku Kubota's amazing art kimonos are breathtaking wheb viewed in a museum. How special that this book is able to capture that beauty so well. One can feast on page after page of Kubota's works, all the while enjoying the vivid color and detail. The text is an excellent accompaniment for the photos. If you cannot see these kimonos in the cloth, you can almost believe that you are there in this lovely book. If you were so fortunate as to see them, this book will help your pleasure continue. Jonatha Wright

I was fortunate to get a chance to see the exhibit of this work in Canton, Ohio. The book is a stunning reminder of that extraordinary experience.

I was introduced to the work of Itchiku Kubota many years ago through an article in Smithsonian magazine, an article that included only enough pictures to make one drool for more. Since then I've looked for more information on his work. This book is that! Beautiful pictures, with many detailed close-ups, leave me in awe of this wonderful artist's commitment to, and success in, creating beautiful work. The time taken, the colors used, the layering of techniques that he used have created art of unparalleled beauty. Even if you have no interest in textiles or fabric art, you'll be swept away by Kubots's work. I highly recommend this book!

This is one of the most fantastic books of Kubotas'(not much exists).
You will NEVER regret purchasing this book--if you can find it. I cannot say enough good things about his work. I have looked for several years for anything similar to this book and it was worth the wait!

This was my first purchase from Amazon.com.
I am so happy with this site.
The book was exactly as described and the shipping was perfect.
Can hardly wait to order again.