In Japanese life and culture, there has never been a clear distinction between art, craft and design. Generations of artisans have spent centuries forging and refining their crafts, which are the envy of the modern world. The regions of Japan are known for their specific traditions, many of which stem from the local materials and natural environment in which they are made.

Visitors and lovers of craft and design have long been aware of the high quality of craftsmanship and the uniqueness of these makers and the objects they create, although few are run outside the country. Spurred on by an awareness of the unseen treasures produced by these artisans, design writers Uwe Röttgen and Katharina Zettl set out across the country to find the finest examples, documenting the makers and their workshops and the rural landscapes that surround them. The result is a breathtaking odyssey into the heart of Japanese culture. The authors portray twenty-five artisans who use natural materials to create objects that are meant for everyday use but worthy of a museum. Photographs and text, created in close collaboration with each maker or studio, reveal age-old techniques that continue to thrive, however much the world around them has changed.

Craftland Japan is not just a book about Japanese crafts: it is a look at centuries-old traditions and wisdom through the prism of contemporary makers. It celebrates the marriage of craft, design, materiality and landscape in ways that most cultures can only hope to emulate.

A catalogue of artisans unlike anything you'll find anywhere else.
The Herald

About the author

Uwe Röttgen is a product designer based in Germany.

Katharina Zettl is a graphic designer based in Germany.