Traditional Japanese Furniture

Japanese furniture has a rich heritage dating back to the seventh century. Masterful craftsmanship and aesthetic sensitivity evolved with this furniture's long history. Yet, as with much that is Japanese, these pieces find virtue in restraint. The work is compelling yet sedate, with an understated simplicity distilled from a thousand years of knowledge and careful craftsmanship.

Though the West has long acknowledged the beauty and value of these objects, the history of their making--their milieu and craftsmanship-remain virtually unexplored. This volume, first published in 1986, fills that void. Author Kazuko Koizumi, a pioneer in the field, brings a thoroughness and warmth to the subject. A wealth of illustrated material puts the pieces in context. A historical account, laced with centuries-old drawings, traces the evolution of furniture design through the lens of Japan's "floor-based" culture.

With 114 color plates and over 650 figures, Traditional Japanese Furniture documents and discusses the roots of more than eighty unique furniture types, including the many variations of the beloved tansu chest that has made its way into homes and museums around the world. Like many of the objects it portrays, Traditional Japanese Furniture has found its place among collectors and enthusiasts, standing today as the definitive volume on the subject.