Katachi: Classical Japanese Design

Untranslatable, 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, such as wood, bamboo, stone, fiber, metal, and earth. The photographs, in black-and-white and color, showcase pieces ranging from exquisite geometric stone carvings and architecturally elegant shoji screens to humble yet perfectly conceived objects like combs, sandals, rakes, and teapots. Photographer Takeji Iwamiya's masterwork is a tribute to these objects and the culture they sprang from. Japanese concepts of shape and form have influenced contemporary design worldwide, making this collection appealing to designers as well as connoisseurs of Japanese art and culture.