Nature Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Acclaimed furniture designer George Nakashima (1905-1990) made boldly original pieces prized for their superb craftsmanship and their organic use of the natural lines and grain of wood. Today his beautiful creations are avidly sought by private collectors and are housed in museum collections all over the world. This survey of Nakashima's life and work-written by his daughter, the noted designer Mira Nakashima-is the most revealing look we have ever had at this woodworking genius and his profound influence on contemporary design. Mira Nakashima chronicles not only the furniture designs for which her father was best known, but also his equally fine work as an architect. Illustrated with a wealth of photographs never before published and containing much new information from the Nakashima studio archives, Nature, Form, and Spirit is timed to coincide with the release of a full-length documentary film on Nakashima and an exhibition at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. In exploring his personal and philosophic journey, Mira Nakashima provides a remarkable look at the development of an artist whose reverence for nature was at the heart of his creative work.

About the Author

Mira Nakashima worked for many years with her father, the renowned furniture designer George Nakashima. Since her father's death in 1990, she has been the creative director of the studio, in New Hope, PA, where she continues to produce her father's designs, as well as designing and developing her own work.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810945363
• ISBN-13: 978-0810945364
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Furniture Design
  #24 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Woodworking > Furniture & Carpentry
  #52 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Artists, Architects & Photographers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Japanese National Treasure, April 4, 2004

By	Manon Kavesky (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I attended an auction a few weeks ago and a fabulous 16 foot long George Nakashima bench from the Dana house in Chilmark, MA sold for $20, 000. This peaceful item intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about this modern master. Just in time to quench my curiosity, Nature, Form, and Spirit: Abrams published The Legacy of George Nakashima. Lavishly illustrated with archival photos of the family home, vintage catalogs, working drawings, plus new photos of classic pieces this oversized hardcover is a great addition to your library.

Written by his daughter Mira, Nature, Form, and Spirit showcases Nakashima's sparse strong furniture as well as his architecture. Vital, collectable, and contemporary Nakashima's furniture is memorable for its simple designs hewn from monumental pieces of wood. Represented in museum collections around the world Nakashima was declared a national treasure by the Japanese Emperor in 1983.

Although he is deceased, the Nakashima legacy continues as Mira Nakashima continues to produce her father's bold and original designs. If they are within budget check out http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com. If you can't afford a piece of this masters furniture then the next best thing is owning this gorgeous book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A showcase for one of the best., December 21, 2005

By	Dennis R. Mitton "tolstoy" (pacific nw, usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had the pleasure of working with several pieces of Nakashima's over the years and agree that he's left a true legacy. "Nature Form and Spirit" is a good description of his work.

This particular book focuses more on his completed works than on his philosphy and craft but his artistry shines through in every photo. The text is clear and very readabale and it's easy to tell that his daughter has picked up the same spirit as her father.

This is gorgeous book that anyone - whether woodworker or not - would enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A carpenter dream, January 13, 2007

By	Serge Astieres (Sergy, Ain, France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a superb book on George Nakashima, written by his daughter. It is a good complement to "Sould of a tree" written by Nakashima himself. While "Sould of a tree" looked at the furniture, "Nature form & Spirit" starts with the life of Nakashima and how he came to design all his furniture and the houses. It is not a technical book, but it gives an interesting insight on the philosophy and thinking process behind the designs. Much more than a coffe table book, an inspiration for all woodworking lovers