Craft Culture in Early Modern Japan: Materials, Makers, and Mastery

Crafts made from lacquer, silk, cotton, paper, ceramics, and iron were essential to daily life in early modern Japan, carrying knowledge, sociality, and identity. This study by Christine M.E. Guth offers a holistic framework for appreciating these crafts, highlighting the confluence of forces such as natural resources, media representations, gender, workshop organization, embodied knowledge, and innovation. By examining the material, sociological, physiological, and technical aspects of making practices, it sheds light on the underlying patterns of thought and action within the wider culture of the times.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

In the vibrant tapestry of early modern Japan, a multitude of materials came to play pivotal roles in the daily lives of its people. Lacquer, silk, cotton, paper, ceramics, and iron formed the foundation of a rich and diverse craftsmanship that transcended mere utility. These artifacts, imbued with profound significance, served as powerful carriers of knowledge, sociality, and identity, resonating with both makers and consumers alike. In her groundbreaking study, Christine M.E. Guth presents a comprehensive framework for delving into the intricate world of crafts created during the late sixteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. Through her meticulous research, she sheds light on the intricate interplay of often overlooked forces that shaped Japan's diverse, dynamic, and aesthetically sophisticated artifactual culture. By engaging in a dialogue that encompasses key topics such as natural resource management, media representations, gender dynamics in workshops, embodied knowledge, and innovation, Guth invites readers to reimagine Japanese crafts as emerging from cooperative yet competitive expressive environments, where both human and nonhuman forces collaborated in the creation of these remarkable works.

A deep exploration of the material, sociological, physiological, and technical aspects of making practices further enhances our understanding of early modern crafts. By unraveling the underlying patterns of thought and action within the broader cultural context of the times, Guth offers a holistic perspective that enriches our appreciation of this remarkable era. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Christine M.E. Guth has contributed to our understanding of the intricate tapestry of early modern Japanese craftsmanship, providing a valuable resource for scholars, enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to delve into the rich heritage of this fascinating period.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 163 x 211 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520379817