Japanese Design

Asian art expert Dr. Patricia Graham guides readers through the aspects of Japanese art and design we've all come to appreciate—whether it's a silk kimono, a carefully raked garden path, or modern snack food packaging. From the ten key characteristics of Japanese design to the Shinto and Buddhist influences on its aesthetics, Japanese Design serves as a great resource for understanding the different styles and how they developed.

Another fascinating and less explored aspect of design in Japan is its influence on and interpretation by Westerners. From Frank Lloyd Wright to Lafcadio Hearn, artists, scientists, designers, journalists, and philosophers were inspired by Japan's arts and crafts in the 19th century. This often romanticised version of Japanese design—viewed through a Western cultural lens—continues to influence our view of it to this day. Graham unpacks the sincere but sometimes misguided interpretations of concepts like wabi sabi and shibui.