Katachi

the long version

"The word Katachi signifies the essence of Japanese design - the form, symmetry, and workmanship of traditional craft. Embodying the marriage of beauty and functionality that is the key to the Japanese aesthetic, the objects presented in Katachi are made of materials that have played an important role in Japanese life for centuries: Paper, Wood, Bamboo, Fiber, Clay, Metal, and Stone."--BOOK JACKET. "These photographs showcase pieces ranging from exquisite geometric stone carvings and architecturally elegant shoji screens to such humble yet perfectly conceived objects as combs, sandals, takes, and teapots. The essence of craftsmanship, in this case, refers to both the objects and the photographs. Fifty years in the making, Katachi was photographer Takeji Iwamiya's masterwork."--Jacket.