Why Japan is house to good design
Japanese Design Since 1945: A full sourcebook covers the stories behind a wide variety of projects – from furniture and lighting design to vehicles, electrical appliances, musical instruments and posters.
The book particularly focuses on the post-war period, when the country launched its Good Design Award, introduced the Made in Japan label, and generally promoted ideas for craftsmanship and design.
In the introduction to the book, author Naomi Pollock praises Japan's unreserved acceptance of the craft. It points out that good design can be found everywhere in the country – in shops and offices as well as at home, without distinguishing between the attention to high quality goods and everyday objects. "Simple and yet refined, functional and yet aesthetically pleasing, machine-made and yet exquisitely processed. These objects are among the most admired in the world."
Above: Kikuzukushi (textile) by Katsuji Wakisaka, 2010; Above: Tetu (iron kettle) by Makoto Koizumi, 2013, photo by Yosuke Otomo
Canon poster by Kenji Itoh, 1956, photo by Itoh Kenji Design Studio
BOW (tissue donor) by Satoshi Umeno, 2014
WINK chair by Toshiyuki Kita, 1980, photo by Mario Carrieri
“The appeal of these goods is due in large part to Japan's emphasis on handicrafts: shaping shapes, shapes of materials, attention to detail and, above all, respect for the hand of the artisan, be it a traditional artisan or a factory worker,” she continues away.
Pollock has spent some time studying the role of design in Japanese culture and the impact the post-war era and other historical events such as the Olympic Games had on the country's approach to craftsmanship and creativity.
All of this makes for a hefty volume, but there are enough large, glossy images to please the casual reader. Overall, it's a pretty impressive collection of objects that is a reminder that Japan led the way in much of what we believe to be good design.
The Y-Glass by Hirota Glass, 2018, inspired by Sori Yanagi's original design from 1966. Photo by Ryoukan Abe
Hiroshima Chair by Naoto Fukasawa for Maruni Wood Industry Inc, 2008, photo by Yoneo Kawabe
Cornucopia (textile) by Hiroshi Awatsuji, 1980, photo by Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
Japanese design since 1945: a full sourcebook is published by Thames & Hudson at thamesandhudson.com for £ 50