Monday, 25 July 2016

The Ingenious Patterns and Hotel Okura

Tokyo. Hotel Okura. 1964. First Edition. 4to, 104pp. Silver stamped cloth in slipcase. Numerous Colour and Black & White plates. Text in English and Japanese. Slipcase has been, ahem, customised. More images available on request.. Hardcover.. Book: VG+. .

Stunning book detailing the textile and wallpaper patterns, as well as the key themes of the famous Hotel Okura. "The Okura is an extraordinary testament to a key moment in Japanese design. It was built two years ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 ' with an annexe added in 1973 ' by an exceptionally gifted and diverse group that included the architects Yoshiro Taniguchi and Hideo Kosaka, the folk artist Shiko Munakata and the potter Kenkichi Tomimoto. Together they created a unique modern design that referenced the traditional colours, shapes and crafts of Japan." Fiona Wilson.