Japanese Sculptures in Wood
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Size: 6” x 8 ” - Pages: 135 - Published: 2010 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover
This book is AWESOME!! It is photo study book of some of the amazing wooden sculpture found guarding the many temples and shrines in Japan. I am constantly blown away by the detail and craftsmanship exhibited in these creations and have long said someone should do a book on them. While the photos could be a little bigger this collection is wonderfully rife with foo dogs, baku, dragons, cranes, tengu, minogame (the long tailed turtle), tennin, deities, monkeys, waves flames and much more. This is a brilliant reference book for anyone wanted to kickstart their creative juices without referencing someone else's drawings. These pieces allow you to get more to the core of the motifs thus allowing you to create more original pieces.
Japanese Crest Designs
  
Size: 6” x 9” - Pages: 400 - Published: 2005 - Price: $60 - Binding: Softcover
This is a great new book out by the same people who did the Kingyo (Japanese Goldfish) and Niwatori (Japanese Rooster) books. It is a complete reference guide to Japanese family crests including hundreds of examples and photographs of how they are used in daily life here (in kimono, artwork, laterns, noren, food, ceremonies etc.). The photographs are compelling and really bring meaning to the crests themselves. Incredibly well done. It is 400 pages....a total monster! There is an introduction in English but the remaining text is in Japanese and minimal.
Poster Wonderland - OOP
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Size: 8" x 10" - Pages: 102 - Published: 1995 - Price: $55 - Softcover
This is an awesome collection of antiquated liquor beer and cigarette posters. Includes both Japanese and international imagery. Lots of food for thought in this and more than a few chuckles! It is out of print so snag it now if you want a copy.
Edo Shirushi Banten
  
Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 255 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover
This is a great compilation of photos of Shirushi Banten - the short coats used in the Edo period that originated with the Iroha 48 firebrigades organized in 1718. The coats were dyed with a design that identified their brigade and position. Now they are worn at festivals and different neighborhood throughout Japan still have a unique design. The book includes photos of these festivals, coat designs and patterns, a few ukiyo-e/woodblocks featuring firefighters, and a lot of images of the different graphics on the back of the coats. These graphics are great for tattoo design.
Japanese Family Crest Designs
 
Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 318 - Published: 2004 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover
This is a great little collection of family crests done by the same people who did the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES. This book consists of page after page of monochrome images of family crests and symbols. 15 images to a page make this collection a treasure. Definitely a must have for those interested in traditional Japanese art and design....text in Japanese.
Traditional Designs of Nippon
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Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 382 - Published: 2009 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover
This is a prolific book of thumbnail sketches of items from Edo period Japan. It features kimono, helmets, masks, musical instruments, weapons, Tori Gates, wells, gravestones, castles, Buddhist deities, sandals, hairstyles, flags, furniture, lanterns, dolls. boats. toys, fans....the list is extensive. This book is a must have for anyone creating Japanese imagery. The attention to fine details add authenticity to a composition and this book provides the necessary sketches to help craft a Edo period setting.
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