WA: The Essence of Japanese Design Hardcover – April 14, 2014

Beautiful book design and binding.

This beautiful book is designed in the Japanese manner with stiching on the spine and double pages inside. The photographs of well balanced, well designed objects cover a period from ancient Japan to the present. The photos of ceramic pieces were especially beautiful. The lighting makes the ceramic surfaces feel tactile. Although the clay objects are my favorite, this book shows categories of Japanese design arranged by material touching on metal, paper, clay. wood and more. I've put "Wa" on my coffee table for the time being. I will protect it on a shelf after I finish picking it up daily to marvel.

I saw this book at the Tsutaya bookstore in Tokyo. It's a beautifully illustrated book with cool looking binding and paper choice. Nice pictures with good discussion on Japanese design. Got it for my wife and she loves it. A real conversation piece based on the appearance, binding, and paper quality alone.

The book is written by 2 'outsiders' who apparently understand enough and a have a lot of respect for the subject.It is handsomely 'packaged', accessible and a delight to read.

The book was good but its delivery was delayed for 2 months with endless back and forth communication with the Amazon team to follow up and re-re-re-arrange delivery. Product was great but the arrangements and service were horrendous.

A beautifully bound book (honestly--it's beautiful) with great content on Japanese Design. My only complaint is that the beauty of the book seemingly competes with its contents about Japanese culture and design!

Beautiful book and lovely zen presentation. Very Japanese. Spare and artistic.

This book taught me more about Japanese design than I have learned in years of study.