The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty: Bernard Leach, Soetsu Yanagi, Shoji Hamada: 9780870119484: Amazon.com: Books

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This book challenges the conventional ideas of art and beauty. What is the value of things made by an anonymous craftsman working in a set tradition for a lifetime? What is the value of handwork? Why should even the roughly lacquered rice bowl of a Japanese farmer be thought beautiful? The late Soetsu Yanagi was the first to fully explore the traditional Japanese appreciation for "objects born, not made."

Mr. Yanagi sees folk art as a manifestation of the essential world from which art, philosophy, and religion arise and in which the barriers between them disappear. The implications of the author's ideas are both far-reaching and practical.

Soetsu Yanagi is often mentioned in books on Japanese art, but this is the first translation in any Western language of a selection of his major writings. The late Bernard Leach, renowned British potter and friend of Mr. Yanagi for fifty years, has clearly transmitted the insights of one of Japan's most important thinkers. The seventy-six plates illustrate objects that underscore the universality of his concepts. The author's profound view of the creative process and his plea for a new artistic freedom within tradition are especially timely now when the importance of craft and the handmade object is being rediscovered.

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Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking. They describe it as an easy and enjoyable read that offers interesting insights into the theory of beauty. Readers appreciate the historical perspective and the author's grasp on the intellectual perspective of pottery.

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Aesthetics Readability Thought provoking History

10 customers mention "Aesthetics"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They appreciate the writing on aesthetic concepts and principles that encompass all arts. The perspective on beauty, art, and craftsmanship is interesting.

"...The text is written in a clear and uncomplicated manner, with some inserted clarifications and explanations by Bernard Leach." Read more

"A well written book that inspires one to think of (look at) objects in a different way, for me it has me pondering the work I do in a different..." Read more

"What an amazing perspective on beauty, art and craftsmanship. Also the quality of the paper is clear which makes reading it a joy!" Read more

"Well written and interesting history of Japanese craft" Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They describe it as a good book for class and perfect for their needs.

"...Also the quality of the paper is clear which makes reading it a joy!" Read more

"...Very good read for potters." Read more

"...it starts with the maker embodying those humble qualities. really well-written..." Read more

"love this book." Read more

7 customers mention "Thought provoking"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enlightening and fascinating. They appreciate its historical perspective and contemporary reminders. The book provides a clear grasp of Yanagi's intellect and aesthetics, making it indispensable for dedicated Chado students.

"...I found the most interesting chapter to be the one about the Buddhist idea of beauty...." Read more

"A well written book that inspires one to think of (look at) objects in a different way, for me it has me pondering the work I do in a different..." Read more

"I love the unique insightful philosophy of Soetsu Yanag's writings on how he feels art should be viewed and created." Read more

"This book is fascinating and in-depth. I read it for a class, and it greatly influenced my personal aesthetic." Read more

3 customers mention "History"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's historical perspective. They find it interesting and well-written, offering insights into Japanese craft.

"...The book is indeed about pottery but also offers insights into what the author sees as the potters frame of mind...." Read more

"Well written and interesting history of Japanese craft" Read more

"Excellent! Great historical perspective and contemorary reminder of the lasting impression of human touch on material culture." Read more

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Tic Tac Toe
An Eastern take on beauty
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2014
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In this book, industrialization and mass production get a tongue lashing, as one would expect from a writer devoted to preserving hand craftsmanship and traditional art forms. I found the book enlightening and thought provoking. The first chapters are about the author's creation of a craft museum in Japan, which while somewhat interesting, discouraged me about the main direction of the book. But subsequent chapters about pattern in art and craft, and about the beauty of irregularity, encourage me to keep reading. I found the most interesting chapter to be the one about the Buddhist idea of beauty. The idea that beauty and ugliness are essentially the same thing is a difficult one to wrap my Western head around. There is depth in this chapter, and I expect to re-read many passages that I highlighted. Much of the focus of the book is on pottery, but other crafts and art forms get their mention, too. Much of the writing is about aesthetic concepts and principles that encompass all arts and crafts. In a single section at the front of the book are numerous photographs of bowls, textiles, hand painted scrolls, and other items, which are referred to in the text. The text is written in a clear and uncomplicated manner, with some inserted clarifications and explanations by Bernard Leach.

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23 people found this helpful

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Stever521
A good book to read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2015
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A well written book that inspires one to think of (look at) objects in a different way, for me it has me pondering the work I do in a different way.
While I still have the critical side this book has been a help in defining which criticism is of value and which is ultimately just a "voice" in my head.
What is perfect is a such a subjective and therefor fleeting notion with regard to art and craft it should not be the driving force in anyone's desire to create and/or collect art/craft[s].

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3 people found this helpful

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Diana Rousseau Cox
Easy and interesting read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
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I love the unique insightful philosophy of Soetsu Yanag's writings on how he feels art should be viewed and created.

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One person found this helpful

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Russell B Brinkmann
Interesting take on the theory of beauty.
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2013
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I read this book on the recommendation of ex-editor of Popular Woodworking and blogger, Chris Schwartz.

This book describes and interesting heavily buhdist influenced theory of beauty, that relies almost as much on the way the work is done as the final outcome, with the idea that the how affects the outcome, but not in ways that we typically think about in the west.

It reminds me a little bit of the book of tea by Kakuzo Okakura (which it mentions briefly), in that it is as much a description of the philosophy of a culture, as it is about a specific art form.

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4 people found this helpful

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novastar
Where it is printed matters
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2019
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I had ordered this book first as a paperback some time ago. It was printed in Japan. The 12 color plates at the beginning were printed on glossy paper stock. The same images in the recent book I ordered were printed on regular paper stock. It was printed in Korea. It makes a lot of difference if you care about color and subtlety.

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15 people found this helpful

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ibg
A milestone book
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2010
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My interest is woodwork that is made within the traditions of Japanese woodworking techniques though not necessarily replicating traditional Japanese designs or style. While I have been happy with the aesthetics of objects I've been making, I haven't really understood the sometimes muted reactions from some of my Japanese friends. I've been to Yanagi's Folkcraft Museum in Tokyo and to a museum to the work of Kanjiro Kawai (a close friend of Soetsu Yanagi) in Kyoto and so have first hand experience of the pottery and woodwork objects that have inspired or been made by these men. However, it was only when I read "The Unknown Craftsman" that I was able to fully appreciate and to attempt to translate into my own work, Yanagi's "insight into beauty". From the book, it is apparent that Yanaki had a broad exposure to both Japanese and Western culture and philosophy and as a result, I feel that the principles that Yanagi describes are as applicable to western craft objects as they are to those of Japanese origin.

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16 people found this helpful

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La Vida
Unexpected Insight
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018
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I purchased this book after reading an excerpt about pottery. The book is indeed about pottery but also offers insights into what the author sees as the potters frame of mind. This was an unexpected treat for me. As a student of various Asian philosophies, I love this author's description of how the "seeing" of the artist coincides with many of these philosophies and perhaps surpasses them.

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La Vida

Unexpected Insight
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018
I purchased this book after reading an excerpt about pottery. The book is indeed about pottery but also offers insights into what the author sees as the potters frame of mind. This was an unexpected treat for me. As a student of various Asian philosophies, I love this author's description of how the "seeing" of the artist coincides with many of these philosophies and perhaps surpasses them.

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7 people found this helpful

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Mighty Quinn
Experience and hope -- in one book!!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2016
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What an amazing perspective on beauty, art and craftsmanship. Also the quality of the paper is clear which makes reading it a joy!

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Lilia Dinelli
Legal
Reviewed in Brazil on March 17, 2024
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Muito bom

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mv
The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty is brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2024
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This book is so valuable - it covers many aspects of life and is a treasure to have. It was delivered on time and in good condition, as described. I am very pleased.

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Hidden Gem
I wanted to know more about Wabi Sabi
Reviewed in Canada on November 10, 2019
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this book I hope will tell my the answer

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Guido
Inspiring
Reviewed in Italy on August 21, 2020
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A very Bible for the people interested in crafts and in particular in pottery.
For the potter is a very source of inspirations and reflections on his work.

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AmazonKäufer
Abbildungstechnisch eher enttäuschend!
Reviewed in Germany on June 14, 2024
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Obschon dieses Buch - nota bene ein Kunstbuch - an sich äusserst interessant ist, wird man durch die vielen qualitativ mittelmässigen und sehr körnigen schwarz-weiss Fotos enttäuscht, da sie die eigentliche Schönheit der Objekte gar nicht zur Geltung bringen, aber worum es in diesem Buch doch primär geht! Die wenigen farbigen Abbildungen vermögen das dann auch nicht mehr zu retten. Wenn ich ein Kunstbuch erstehe, weiss ich, dass dies in der Regel preislich nicht günstig ist. Aber für das, was einem hier "geboten" wird, ist es dann doch massiv zu teuer!

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The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty Paperback – January 15, 1990

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Unexpected Insight

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

An Eastern take on beauty

A good book to read.

Easy and interesting read.

Interesting take on the theory of beauty.

Where it is printed matters

A milestone book

Unexpected Insight

Experience and hope -- in one book!!!

Top reviews from other countries

Legal

The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty is brilliant!

I wanted to know more about Wabi Sabi

Inspiring

Abbildungstechnisch eher enttäuschend!

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The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty Paperback – January 15, 1990

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Unexpected Insight

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5.0 out of 5 stars Legal

5.0 out of 5 stars The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty is brilliant!

5.0 out of 5 stars I wanted to know more about Wabi Sabi

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring

2.0 out of 5 stars Abbildungstechnisch eher enttäuschend!

Legal

The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty is brilliant!

I wanted to know more about Wabi Sabi

Inspiring

Abbildungstechnisch eher enttäuschend!