Editors: gestalten & Irwin Wong  
Photography: Irwin Wong 
With an introduction by Kengo Kuma
Region texts by Antje Papist-Matsuo
Features: full color, hardcover, stitch bound, 320 pages, over 360 photographs
Format: 22,5 x 29 cm,  9 x 11 1/2 inches 
Price: € 45 (D) £40  $ 60 (US)
ISBN EN: 978-3-89955-992-7

@gestalten #japaneseartisans #gestaltenbooks 
 
NEW European Publication Date: September 1, 2020
NEW International Publication Date: September 1, 2020

ABOUT THE BOOK
“I am confident that the skills of Japan are a gift for humankind: a gift for the future rather than just a way to create beautiful products, as in the good old days.” – Kengo Kuma in the preface to Handmade in Japan 

Handmade in Japan takes the reader on a journey through the island nation, offering insight into its varied and fascinating culture and traditions, while also revealing the histories of its diverse regions, from the fiery southern island of Kyushu, to the imperial capital of Kyoto, to the snowy wilderness of Hokkaido. 

The book provides a rare glimpse into some of Japan’s most remarkable workshops, unveiling the techniques and stories behind thousand-year-old pottery kilns, katana swordsmiths, and the art of crafting delicate tea whisks out of bamboo. With exquisite photography of the craftspeople and their impressive wares by Irwin Wong, and a series of short essays looking at the significance of their materials written by East Asian crafts expert Antje Papist-Matsuo, and a foreword by star architect Kengo Kuma, Handmade in Japan celebrates the craftspeople continuing their endless pursuit of perfection in the twenty-first century.

Irwin Wong is an editorial and commercial photographer based in Tokyo known for his punchy portraiture and insightful documentary photography. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he moved to Japan in 2005. He developed an interest in craftsmanship after photographing several artisans for work. Amongst his clients he has photographed for Christian Dior, The Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, and Mitsubishi Motors. His first photobook Handmade in Japan will be published in Spring 2020 by gestalten. 

Antje Papist-Matsuo teaches at the Institute of Art History, Freie Universität Berlin since 1999. Her expertise lies in the field of East Asian crafts and material culture, particularly in that of lacquerware. She has curated exhibitions on East Asian lacquerware with accompanying catalogues and is author of numerous further publications to the field.

Kengo Kuma is a Japanese architect. He also teaches in the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo. Compared to contemporaries Shigeru Ban and Kazuyo Sejima frequently, Kengo Kuma is also known for his alluring writings.

Over the course of centuries, Japan has developed a culture of the handmade known world–over for its quality, precision, and artistry. Today, these traditions are being kept alive by master artisans who have dedicated their lives to the stewardship of this irreplaceable cultural heritage.