Japan: The Art of Living : A Sourcebook of Japanese Style for the Western Home (Paperback)

~ (Author), Shin Kimura (Photographer) "The art of living-does such a thing exist in the crowded, noisy jangle of urban Japan?..." (more)
Key Phrases: quilt cover, Harumi Nibe, Patricia Salmon, Yasuhiko Kida (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Longtime Japan resident Amy Sylvester Katoh and photographer Shin Kimura have created a fascinating and educational masterpiece in Japan: The Art of Living. More than 300 pictures of rooms, furniture, table arrangements, stylish windows, and more enliven its pages as they guide the reader on a "photographic tour of exquisite homes in the Tokyo area, focusing on ... antiques and folk crafts."

Katoh counsels readers to break free from some of the rules that govern Japanese style and design and experiment with their own brand of panache--or Japanache, as Katoh calls it. Instead of simply cataloging stylish homes, the author presents a design element, such as tansu chests, with a dozen options and alternatives, providing both ancient ideas and their modern updates. In addition to the superb photos and engaging text, there is also an index of places to buy the featured antiques, textiles, washi paper, screens, and other items, both in Japan and in 11 states in the U.S. If you were a fan of Japanese design before, this book will make you a fanatic. --Jhana Bach --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

These two visual sourcebooks are full of photographs to inspire amateur and professional decorators. Each depicts how each style has been interpreted for today's living through the use of traditional, ethnic accents. India Style concentrates on the decoration of entire rooms in contemporary India, with an emphasis on the culture and traditions that inspire the decorating. Katoh focuses on details, such as textiles, furniture, and folk art, that make up Japanese-accented interiors. She also gives an overview of contemporary decorating as practiced by native and Western-born Japanese. Each of these books provides good coverage of contemporary interpretations of ethnic decorating styles. For larger collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080482133X
• ISBN-13: 978-0804821339
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,364,190 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Sourcebook for Japanese Interior Design, December 14, 2000

By	Walter O. Koenig "Amoxtli" (San Diego, California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Regardless if you want to have a Japanese Tea Room, a Japanese touch, or just like looking at great photographs of Interior Design, you should buy this book.

I normally don't like books which take elements from one Style, in this case Japanese, and then adapt it for Western use, but here it works very well, thanks to superb and tasteful examples. The authors are also very up-front about it, as the sub-title which does not appear on the cover is "A Sourcebook of Japanese Style for the Western Home".

In hundreds of excellent photographs we are shown in sections with such titles as: "Light and Space", "Traditional Furniture" and "Japanese Textiles" just how easy it is to give rooms and areas of your home a Japanese touch or feel. I personally like the Style very much because it is subdued, almost austere, yet elegant, and makes much use of natural materials. The book is full of really clever examples of what one can do with space, and the best part is, that for the most part it can be done without great expense. The list of sources of where to buy materials at the end of the book is unfortunately out of date. The copy of the book I have was published in 1990, but many sources should be readily available on the Internet.

Along with the excellent book "Japanese Style" by Suzanne Slesin, et.al. (at the time of writing out of print), "Japan: The Art of Living" is all you'll need to go Japanese. And lastly before I forget, the price is right.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very helpfull, August 18, 2000

By A Customer

As a an architecture student and in an architecture firm working guy I found this book very helpfull. I like japanese architecture and this book has taught me a way to design interiors in japanese-western way.

16 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars expecting something different, December 15, 2002

By	Amy Hilliard (VA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japan the Art of Living (Hardcover)

If you are looking for examples of the zen and minimalist aspects of Japanese style, then this is the wrong book for you.

Pluses:
Some of the pictures are interesting, and I liked many of the cultural aspects of the book.

Minuses:
Some of the pictures reminded me of the elaborate and glitzy decor of some Westernized Asian restaurants.

Recommendation:
If you are interested in all aspects of Japanese style, this book might interest you. Everyone else should avoid buying this book.