The Bamboo Basket Art of Higashi Takesonosai

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Summary: The Bamboo Basket Art of Higashi Takesonosai
Review: For those of us who love bamboo and fine craftsmanship, we are living in exciting times. This year there are a number of exceptionally high quality books about bamboo (all available through Amazon!. Several of these publications are made available through the collaborative efforts of Lloyd Cotsen, and Rob Coffland and Mary Kahlenberg of TAI Gallery in Santa Fe. Mr. Coffland's most recent contribution to the literature is this book dedicated to the work of Higashi Takesonosai. The breathtaking photographs of Pat Pollard (who could ask for any better revelation of this artist's work?)would have been enough to justify buying this book. However, the writing takes the information to an even higher lever. Mr. Cotsen's essay describes a long, admiring relationship between an artist and a collector who understands the complexity of the work and the man. Mr. Coffland's backstory is an encapsulated history of bamboo artistry in Japan.
If you love books, bamboo, and/or Japanese artistry, you need this book!