Book Review: Things Japanese (Everyday Objects of Exceptional Beauty and Significance)

Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Exceptional Beauty and Significance published by Tuttle Publishing is a wonderful guide and introduction to the unique objects that make up traditional Japanese culture. This is a must have book for any fan of Japanese culture and art. As most of you know, I love Japan and especially its history, culture and traditions. I guess, I’m lucky to be surrounded by these things on a daily basis. I probably take a lot of them for granted now that I’ve been in Japan so long, but this book really makes me appreciation them again and fully understand their cultural significance.


The book through its amazing photos and illustrations shares some of this culture and beauty of Japan with you. It is filled with more than two hundred colour photos and illustrations. Author Nicholas Bornoff and Photographer Michael Freeman examine over 60 traditional Japanese objects displaying their relevance and significance and will fascinate those who are intrigued by the art, culture and history of Japan. The traditional objects range from beautifully crafted samurai swords to elegant wooden tansu chests.

The cover of Things Japanese

Fantastic images and detailed information are a highlight of this book

A lot of the objects in the book are highly recognizable, some I see on a daily basis, others are more for historical value rather than daily use. Like most things Japanese they are exquisitely crafted with beauty in their diligent attention to detail and artistry. The book is beautifully presented and shows and describes each object in meticulous detail. Each item is illustrated in glorious full-colour photographs with detailed information, history and cultural context about the object.

At 143 pages long, the book is the right size to leave on my coffee table to take a peek when needed. I love my photography and a hobby of mine is shooting some of the wonderful traditional Japanese objects that I find around me. Whether its a byobu (painted screen) at a house, or ishidoro (stone lantern) at a temple, this book is a great accompaniment to better understand the cultural significance of the objects that I shoot. This book will certainly be picked up by me on a regular basis as I research these objects to find out more about them. I hope it becomes a part of your collection, too.

Things Japanese is the perfect book for anyone interested in the art, culture and history of Japan.
You can check out the book yourself on Amazon.com

*** Competition Time ***

Would you like to win a FREE Copy of Things Japanese: Everyday Objects of Exceptional Beauty and Significance?

Tuttle Publishing the company behind Things Japanese would like to offer one of our lucky readers a complimentary copy of this book. For a chance to win, please leave a comment below on the following topic, “What is your favourite traditional Japanese object? And why do you like it?”

We will select a winner at random and announce the result after the closing date. 

Entries close on Friday, 8 August 2014. 

Note: Please do not comment as Anonymous use a profile such as Google or WordPress, etc, so we can contact you if you are the lucky winner. We we also announce the winner in a future blog post, so stay tuned to Japan Australia.

Good luck and I look forward to reading your entries

*** Competition Has Just Ended ***

Thank you everyone for entering and stay tuned as the winner will be announced on Sunday, 10 August 2014.

Things Japanese by Nicholas Bornoff & Photographer Michael Freeman