Designer's Guide to Japanese Patterns, 2

Rating:
Summary: Edo period 1605-1868
Review: Sunset magazine April 2003 issue uses patterns from this book to create floor cloths (hand painted canvas used as a rug). Comprehensive collection of graphic elements from kimono, lacquer boxes, Samurai leather vestments, fans, umbrellas, screens, woodcuts based every day objects: water lilies, tools, waves, fish, butterflies. Edo period artists were sequestered from the outside world by Imperial edict, thus the elements are fresh, unique, untainted by concurrent artistic themes in Asia or the West. Thoughtful exploration of graphic simplicity expressed as repetitive elements.