Coffee table book - Japanese Baskets

A singular work showcasing the most exquisite Japanese bamboo baskets from the Naej collection, whose objects range from the seventeenth century to the present day.

Basketry is one of Japan's oldest art forms. Since the eighth century, meticulously woven bamboo baskets have served practical functions in everyday life – first in Buddhist rituals and later in the tea ceremony. Over the past two centuries, bamboo art has achieved the status of fine art, with leading artisans creating coveted works for ikebana and, more recently, sculptural objects hailed as modern art.

This elegant and richly illustrated book presents more than 160 baskets, highlighting their spectacular silhouettes and exquisite details – from intricate weaving patterns and refined signatures to artfully woven undersides. Informative captions reveal the techniques behind an art form that is currently experiencing renewed attention, as bamboo provides a durable and environmentally friendly alternative to single-use materials.

Most photographs are taken in front of specially designed backgrounds reminiscent of the enigmatic architectural spaces of Giorgio de Chirico, while others show baskets with contemporary floral arrangements placed in front of industrial waste treatment plants. This underscores the book's message about bamboo as a renewable resource that challenges our culture dominated by single-use plastics.

With three different paper types and an exclusive cloth-bound cover, this beautifully crafted book is a delight for design enthusiasts and lovers of Japanese culture.

Product information:
Dimensions: W 23 cm, D 3.5 cm, H 30 cm
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Language: English