Today's Book Friday is going to differ slightly from the norm. I've been previewing a lot of high-glass, high-caliber art books from my favorite publishers (because they're wonderful, of course), but I wanted to diverge slightly this week in hopes of covering a different book genre. I collect books of all kinds, anything that catches my eye, really.
This one is written in German, but the black and white images of Kyoto, Japan are simply breathtaking. It was published in 1961 and has that wonderful old-book smell. I hope you enjoy a look into this faraway world.
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2 The undulating pattern of stones in this wall has me mesmerized. How fitting with the water so nearby.
3 I love the enormity of this statue. In this case, the art really acts as architecture.
4 Japanese schoolchildren catching fish from a little pool. Could they be more adorable?
5 The patterns on these kimonos and even the spirals of their pareilles are exquisite.
6 Stepping stones like lily pads in a pond; these seem a little more treacherous to navigate than your average bridge!
7 I am completely impressed and obsessed with Japanese gardens. The carefulness and delicacy of their arrangements reminds me to breathe.
8 The inside of a building in Kyoto. The lines and level of refinement in Japanese architecture are absolutely stunning; their attention to detail and efficiency in design is unbelievable.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 12/2/11 at 12:49 pm
Beautiful book and images. Japanese architecture is amazing and beautiful. My husband goes on business twice a year, I love it. My son went with his university the AA school of architecture/London, on his second year for a 2 week workshop, he was amazed by it's Architecture. Wish you a wonderful weekend.
From: ann | 12/2/11 at 8:34 pm
I managed to get a book that I wanted, written by Charles Baster, THE GUIDEBOOK FOR SOUTH DAKOTA. It is first edition signed by author and numbered. Not at all valuable to many but is a treasure to me.Quote
"we rook risks
we knew we rook them
things have come out against us
therefore we have no cause for complaint"