Bamboo in Japan (Hardcover)

by Nancy Moore Bess (Author), Bibi Wein (Contributor) "Without exaggeration, one can say that bamboo's presence in Japan is so perrasive that bardly a day goes by, anywhere in the country, without some..." (more)
Key Phrases: bamboo artifacts, dento kogei, tea scoop, United States, Chiba Prefecture, Katsura Imperial Villa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"... a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in bamboo and its place in Japanese culture." -- Rob Caffland, Orientations

"... speaks to an American basketry artist's passionate engagement with a ubiquitous Japanese material and, by extension, with Japanese culture." -- American Craft

"... stunning graphics, photographs and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the big grass. Recommended." -- Bill Surface, Kansai Time Out

"A must for any library." -- Judy Mulford, Los Angeles Basketry Guild Newsletter

"A spectacularly beautiful book... Broad in coverage and fascinating to peruse ..." -- Choice

"A visually stunning book with beautiful layout, extraordinary photographs, and sensitive, well-written text." -- Fiberarts

"Anyone who has interest in bamboo, bamboo crafts, rituals, or Japanese culture would benefit from owning this beautiful book." -- Charissa Brock, Bamboo: The Magazine of The American Bamboo Society

"Beautiful photography makes this book a coffee table star, but the thoughtful scholarship elevates it to the permanent reference shelf." -- Helen L. Mershon, Oregonian

"It's beautifully produced, astoundingly comprehensive, and obviously a labor of love." -- Pat Malarcher, Editor of Surface Design Journal

"Part lavish coffee-table book, part illustrated encyclopedia, it is an exceptional blend of beauty and instruction." -- Joseph Lapenta, Ikebana International

Review

"... a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in bamboo and its place in Japanese culture." -Orientations
"It's beautifully produced, astoundingly comprehensive, and obviously a labor of love." -Surface Design Journal
"Anyone who has interest in bamboo, bamboo crafts, rituals, or Japanese culture would benefit from owning this beautiful book." -Bamboo: The Magazine of The American Bamboo Society
"A must for any library." -Los Angeles Basketry Guild Newsletter
"... speaks to an American basketry artist's passionate engagement with a ubiquitous Japanese material and, by extension, with Japanese culture." -American Craft
"Beautiful photography makes this book a coffee table star, but the thoughtful scholarship elevates it to the permanent reference shelf." -Oregonian
"A visually stunning book with beautiful layout, extraordinary photographs, and sensitive, well-written text." -Fiberarts
"Part lavish coffee-table book, part illustrated encyclopedia, it is an exceptional blend of beauty and instruction." -Joseph Lapenta, Ikebana International
"A spectacularly beautiful book... Broad in coverage and fascinating to peruse ..." -Choice
"... stunning graphics, photographs and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the big grass. Recommended." -Kansai Time Out


See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International; 1 edition (August 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770025106
• ISBN-13: 978-4770025104
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #343,718 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent book!, August 22, 2001

By	Nancy Means Wright "Nancy" (Cornwall, Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews

BAMBOO IN JAPAN is one of the most exciting and beautiful books I've read in years. During her many years of researching in Japan, Bess discovered that bamboo contributes to every aspect of Japanese life: from architecture to religion, from household goods to children's toys. Bamboo is made into fans, baskets, kites, fences, tea ceremony whisks and scoops; into rakes, blinds, lanterns, spoons, dolls, umbrellas, fish rods, swords, and even into musical instruments such as the eerie, reedy shakuhachi. The book is filled with fascinating facts and anecdotes. Ancient documents chronicle the use of a small bamboo knife that was thought to have magical powers, and so was used to cut the umbilical cord after birth. In the 17th century an ordinance mandated that peasants plant bamboo in order to use the leaves for fuel. Did you know that some varieties of bamboo grow so quickly that one can actually watch them grow? Or that the adult plant is strong enough to support traditional scaffolding tens of stories high, yet delicate enough to be cut into fibers hardly wider than a hair? A Japanese folktale describes a bamboo cutter's discovery of a beautiful miniature princess in a bamboo shoot. Additionally, Bess includes resources for observation and research in Japan and in the US. An internationally known textile and basket craftsperson, Bess has produced a book so vibrant and colorful, it will grow and grow sky high in your imagination.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of art!, January 30, 2002

By	Zenos Paradocs - See all my reviews

There have been other fine books that show and describe bamboo in Japan, both plants and craft, but no other book has so effectively shown how this remarkable plant has shaped a culture in all of its aspects, from the roots of its language, to its cuisine, its art, and its commerce---from the most mundane tools of daily life to the most sublime aspect of art and spirit. Beautifully designed, the book itself is a work of art, with text and photographs woven together in such a way that one finds that one has not simply read a book about a topic, but has become a part of that experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a treasure, August 18, 2001

By	B. Bagnoli "[e-mail]" (SF Bay Area, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a pleasure to see the soul of bamboo portrayed with such insight! Many examples of bamboo in use, a feast for the eyes. This book is a treasure of bamboo knowledge.