"The production of Japanese cloisonne enamels had, by the end of the 19th century, become one of the country's most successful forms of manufacture and export. Using examples drawn from two collections, this book examines the techniques and social history behind the craft." "As well as being a showcase for beautiful examples of cloisonne work, this book shows how the interaction between East and West played a key role in production. The craft of cloisonne enamelling grew from long established traditions of Japanese metalwork but was expanded further with the help of western technical expertise and demand was stimulated by the strong export market. It has been the continuing popularity and appreciation of the craft in the west that has lead to its re-evaluation in Japan and the increasing acknowledgement of its importance for understanding Japan's artistic traditions." "This book will serve as an introduction to the full range of Japanese cloisonne enamels, as well as revealing to collectors and scholars treasures from two outstanding collections."--BOOK JACKET.

"Published in conjunction with the exhibition Polished to Perfection: Japanese Cloisonne from the Collection of Donald K. Gerber and Sueann E. Sherry at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California (May 28, 2017-February 4, 2018). This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art"--

This book provides a detailed history of Japanese cloisonne enamel and the development of its many technical varieties. Part One presents the 400-year history and context of Japanese enamels from their beginnings around 1600, covering the crucial decades of the late 19th and early 20th centuries extensively. Part Two is organized by individual technique and categorizes and discusses the many variations of cloisonne enamel developed in Japan. Integrated into both parts are biographies of many cloisonne masters along with discussions of the technical and scientific underpinnings of the craft. The work is complemented by 32 color plates with 128 images, an extensive glossary, several appendices, an extensive bibliography and a full index.

This book contains 200 black-and-white photographs and 17 color plates of cloisonné articles of every kind and shape ... A value guide provides reliable tips on relative prices according to age, workmanship, and other factors.--Provided by publisher.

A broken pot is made whole again, and within its golden repair we see a world of meaning. Kintsugi is the art of embracing imperfection. In Western cultures, the aim of repair has been to make the broken item 'as good as new'. Kintsugi on the other hand, is a Japanese art that leaves an obvious repair – one that may appear fragile, but which actually makes the restored ceramic piece stronger, more beautiful, and more valuable than before. Leaving clear, bold, visible lines with the appearance of solid gold, it never hides the story of the object's damage. Kintsugi traces memory, bringing together the moment of destruction and the gold seams of repair through finely-honed skills and painstaking, time-consuming labour in the creation of a new pot from the old. There is a story to be told with every crack, every chip. This story inevitably leads to kintsugi's greatest strength. an intimate metaphoric narrative of loss and recovery, breakage and restoration, tragedy and the ability to overcome it. A kintsugi repair speaks of individuality and uniqueness, fortitude and resilience, and the beauty to be found in survival. Kintsugi leads us to a respectful and appreciative acceptance of hardship and ageing. Author Bonnie Kemske explores kintsugi's metaphorical power as well as exploring the technical and practical aspects of the art, meeting with artists and ceramists in Japan and the US to discuss their personal connection to this intricate technique. With the inclusion of diary entries, personal stories, and in-depth exploration of its origin and symbolism, this book shows kintsugi's metaphoric strength as well as its striking aesthetic, making it a unique and powerful art form that can touch our lives.