Japanese 20th Century Design in Wood, Lacquer, Bamboo and Ceramic

Japanese 20th Century Design in Wood, Lacquer, Bamboo and Ceramic is a concise illustrated PDF survey from Joost van den Bergh & Ben Janssens Oriental Art. It presents craft objects from the Meiji era through the Showa period, with notes on materials, makers, and techniques. This digital edition is available for instant download after purchase.

The text places the works within a broader cultural story, from government-sponsored exhibitions to the influence of European modernism. Traditional wood, lacquer, bamboo, and ceramic objects are shown as part of a distinctive avant-garde aesthetic.

Book Overview

This PDF focuses on Japanese 20th century design in wood, lacquer, bamboo, and ceramic. The opening sections trace the modernisation of Japanese craft after the Meiji period, including the role of world fairs, the Bunten, Teiten, Shin-Bunten, and Nitten exhibitions, and the Technical Art School in Tokyo.

The catalog then presents individual objects, such as carved wood bowls, bamboo vessels, and ceramic vases by named makers. Dimensions, signatures, and original tomobako boxes are recorded where available.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Context for the modernisation of Japanese craft from the Meiji period onward.
• Notes on national exhibitions and government support for traditional crafts.
• References to kilns and traditions such as Tamba-yaki, Arita (Imari) ware, and Kyo-yaki.
• Works by Kiyomizu Rokubei, Kawase Takeaki, and Miyakoshi Tokuji.
• Carved and polished wooden bowls, dishes, and trays with tomobako boxes.
• Technical terms such as Kamakura-bori and the Katauchi ceramic technique.
• The influence of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Modernism on Japanese makers.

Why This Book Matters

Japanese 20th century design represents a meeting point between inherited craft knowledge and modern forms. This PDF offers a compact record of that meeting for collectors, students, and readers interested in Japanese visual culture.

The object notes help clarify how traditional materials and techniques continued to develop through the 20th century.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This title is a digital PDF download. No physical shipping is involved, and access is available after purchase. The file can be opened with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and reading apps.

FAQ

How do I receive this digital book? You can download the PDF immediately after purchase.

Is a physical copy shipped? No. This is a digital download only, so nothing will be mailed.

What devices can I use? The PDF works with Kindle apps, tablets, smartphones, desktop computers, and most PDF readers.

This PDF provides a clear, factual introduction to Japanese 20th century design and is ready to download after purchase.