This is a photographic exploration of the characteristic colours of Japan that have appeared repeatedly throughout the centuries in everything from everyday utensils to works of high art. The Colors of Japan is a visually stunning look into the unique use of color in Japanese culture from prehistoric times to the present day. That the Japanese should possess their own sense of color is not surprising, for like almost every other aspect of human life, color perception varies from culture to culture. The first and most fundamental reason for this variation can be

Expert colorist Teruko Sakurai takes you to the end of the rainbow--and beyond--in this inspiring color dictionary! Over 2,750 traditional Japanese color combinations are presented, organized into 100 different themes associated with the seasons, landscapes and artistic heritage of Japan. Whether it's a shower of pink cherry blossoms, the flutter of a carp flap or the austere and cool tones of Mt. Fuji, flipping the pages of this color dictionary is like taking a stroll through the sensual delights of Japanese culture in all its dazzling tones, hues and palettes. Each two-page section in this richly-illustrated book presents a different theme with the following information: An introduction to the color scheme and a description of how it can be used A number-coded nine-color palette board showing the range of shades and hues that complement and comprise the scheme CMYK, RGB and HEX (the color code used in Japan) references for all nine colors 26 examples including two- and three-color combinations with photos and illustrations This is an indispensable guide for graphic designers, illustrators, decorators, artists and publishing professionals. It will also be enjoyable and inspiring for readers planning their own home design or art projects.

An indispensable guide to the colors and combinations of contemporary Japanese design--by one of Japan's leading colorists! Color consultant Teruko Sakurai finds inspiration everywhere--in the foods, landscapes and everyday objects of her native land. Flipping through the pages of this book is like taking a tour through modern Japan. The tones, hues and palettes will dazzle and inspire you. Over 3,300 different color combinations are presented in over 125 different themes. Each two-page section in this book presents a different theme with the following information: An introduction giving a brief background on the color scheme and a description of how it can be used A number-coded nine-color palette board showing the range of shades and hues that complement and comprise the scheme CMYK, RGB and HEX (the color code used in Japan) references for all nine colors 26 examples including two- and three-color combinations with photos and illustrations This is an indispensable guide for graphic designers, illustrators, decorators, artists and publishing professionals. It will also be enjoyable and inspiring for readers planning their own home design or art projects.

"Japan Color explores the relationship between color and feeling and shows its manifestation in all aspects of Japanese design, from the most traditional object to contemporary graphic design .. more than one hundred color photographs ... to demonstrate the cultural significance of color. Essays ... and detailed descriptions of each image ... accompany the photographs, documenting the history and evolution of color use in Japan"--Cover.

Tokugawa Japan ranks with ancient Athens as a society that not only tolerated, but celebrated, male homosexual behavior. Few scholars have seriously studied the subject, and until now none have satisfactorily explained the origins of the tradition or elucidated how its conventions reflected class structure and gender roles. Gary P. Leupp fills the gap with a dynamic examination of the origins and nature of the tradition. Based on a wealth of literary and historical documentation, this study places Tokugawa homosexuality in a global context, exploring its implications for contemporary debates on the historical construction of sexual desire. Combing through popular fiction, law codes, religious works, medical treatises, biographical material, and artistic treatments, Leupp traces the origins of pre-Tokugawa homosexual traditions among monks and samurai, then describes the emergence of homosexual practices among commoners in Tokugawa cities. He argues that it was "nurture" rather than "nature" that accounted for such conspicuous male/male sexuality and that bisexuality was more prevalent than homosexuality. Detailed, thorough, and very readable, this study is the first in English or Japanese to address so comprehensively one of the most complex and intriguing aspects of Japanese history.

A creator in the medium of textiles, the author is known in Japan for her essays on color, nature, and the work of weaving and dyeing. This book collects some of the author's writings together with photographs of her art and the natural world that inspires it. From winter snows to spring blossoms, from the foothills of Japan's Southern Alps to the back streets of Gion, Kyoto, the author initiates the reader into areas of Japanese culture where the boundary between craft and art is blurred. The author offers insight into the sources and use of natural color, along with a glimpse into the world of Japanese textiles, from silkworm and loom to finished kimono. Travels from Basho's Deep North to the western island of Kyushu are recorded, as are accounts of the author's encounters with other figures in Japanese aesthetics such as lacquerware master Kuroda Tatsuaki and poet-critic Ōoka Makoto.--adapted from jacket.

With exquisite close-up photography of some of the most fascinating pieces in the V&A’s collections, this book reveals the full scope of Japanese dress over the past three centuries. A unique insight into the history and key themes of Japanese dress from the eighteenth century to the present, Japanese Dress in Detail reveals the elaborate embroidery, precise folds, and sophisticated dyes that form some of the most beautiful garments in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s unparalleled Japanese dress collection. This book provides readers with the rare opportunity to examine historical clothing, from breathtaking Edo-period kimono, court robes, and No— theatre costumes to indigo-dyed utilitarian garments and exciting contemporary designs. Featuring both garments and accessories, this book is an extraordinary exploration of the beauty and complexity of Japanese fashion. Specially commissioned close-up photography and authoritative texts accompany each garment, and front-and-back line drawings make this publication an invaluable resource for students, collectors, designers, fashion lovers, and Japanophiles.