Into Brown Bear Country

Book Description

"With the passion of a poet and the precision of a topnotch professional, biologist Will Troyer verbally sculpts an exceptionally accurate and eloquent depiction of one of Alaska's most magnificent‹and often misunderstood‹creatures. Reading it should be required of all who venture into bear country and relished even by those who would rather not." ‹Jay Hammond, author and former governor of Alaska

"Will Troyer is Alaska's 'brown bear man.' This important book is gracefully written and loaded with engrossing details about the lives of these fascinating giants." ‹Jim Rearden, former field editor of Outdoor Life and author of Jim Rearden's Alaska

Bears are North America's most complex and controversial predator, both loved and hated for their majesty and power. Will Troyer's introduction to the natural history of Alaska's brown bears is both enchanting and informative, told with the objectivity of a biologist, the resonant voice of an outdoorsman who has spent decades in bear society, and breathtaking photography.

Troyer was a pioneer in the study of brown bears. Convinced that scientific research was the only antidote to widespread fear and misinformation about one of Alaska's largest predators, he gathered data with primitive equipment and endured hair-raising adventures. His career spanned dramatic changes in approaches to bear management that ranged from extermination to conservation, a history of human-bear interactions that he recounts with unusual insight and first-hand knowledge. Troyer offers a holistic description of bear biology and behavior, an account of bear-human interactions, and practical advice for viewing and photographing bears.

Into Brown Bear Country offers an intimate, realistic view of the lives of Alaska's coastal bears. Entertaining and readable, it will be enjoyed by all readers of nature literature and is an essential starting point for anyone visiting bear country.

Customer Reviews:

A great book worth reading.......2005-09-27

This is a book well written by a very knowledgeable individual. In the introduction Troyer states.."the major goal of this book- to provide biological information without losing readers in scientific jargon". He has succeeded in this goal. In the end he comments that viewing the remnants of these animal populations in zoos or fenced enclosures is not good enough for him. I agree. I have watched and photographed many brown bears since reading this book and have a greater understanding of and appreciation for them. If you have never seen or don't even want to see a brown bear this is a good read.

Book Description

Japanese furniture has a rich heritage dating back to the seventh century. Masterful craftsmanship and aesthetic sensitivity evolved with this furniture's long history. Yet, as with much that is Japanese, these pieces find virtue in restraint. The work is compelling yet sedate, with an
understated simplicity distilled from a thousand years of knowledge and careful craftsmanship.

Though the West has long acknowledged the beauty and value of these objects, the history of their making--their milieu and craftsmanship-remain virtually unexplored. This volume, first published in 1986, fills that void. Author Kazuko Koizumi, a pioneer in the field, brings a thoroughness and warmth
to the subject. A wealth of illustrated material puts the pieces in context. A historical account, laced with centuries-old drawings, traces the evolution of furniture design through the lens of Japan's "floor-based" culture.

With 114 color plates and over 650 figures, Traditional Japanese Furniture documents and discusses the roots of more than eighty unique furniture types, including the many variations of the beloved tansu chest that has made its way into homes and museums around the world. Like many of the objects it
portrays, Traditional Japanese Furniture has found its place among collectors and enthusiasts, standing today as the definitive volume on the subject.

Customer Reviews:

This book has wonderful pictures and illustrations........1998-03-22

This book is a wonderful exaple of Japan's funiture and art. It shows the many aspects of this oritental country's splendid decorum.

Keiko's Ikebana: A Contemporary Appoach to the Traditional Japanese Art of Flower Arranging

Average customer rating:

Teaches Ikebana
Keoko's Ikebana

Keiko's Ikebana: A Contemporary Appoach to the Traditional Japanese Art of Flower Arranging
Keiko Kubo
Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Dried Flowers | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0804837929

Book Description

Keiko's Ikebana offers an introduction to this international art form that is both practical and contemporary. Keiko's unique approach combines traditional techniques with modern tastes—incorporating influences ranging from
sculpture to today's Western styles. The result is a one-of-a-kind look that is authentic, easy to create and attractive.
The book includes easy-to-follow instructions for creating 20 stunning ikebana arrangements to help readers bring this traditional Japanese art into their own homes. Readers will also be introduced to the history of ikebana, including its evolution from ancient times into the world of modern design, the basic `rules' of ikebana design and suggestions for finding and choosing materials and supplies.

Customer Reviews:

Teaches Ikebana.......2007-01-14

Nice book, explains various techniques used in this flower arranging art.
I liked the techniques of creating decorations using more than one vaze side by side and the ways they are connected with flowers.

Keoko's Ikebana.......2007-01-10

This book is a pleasure to read and look at even if you don't do flower arranging. The illustrations are beautiful and the writing is clear and direct. I bought multiple copies and gave them to clients for holiday presents, and it was very well received.

Inspired Design: Japan's Traditional Arts

Average customer rating:

For all persons interested in Japanese traditional art

Inspired Design: Japan's Traditional Arts
Michael Dunn
Manufacturer: 5 Continents Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 8874390416

Book Description

Inspired Designs covers the whole range of traditional crafts made in Japan, both historic and contemporary. Starting with a description of the land of Japan, stretching from Siberian forests to the sub-tropical islands of Okinawa, and its natural materials: animal, vegetable, and mineral.

Customer Reviews:

For all persons interested in Japanese traditional art.......2007-09-24

Michael Dunn's vast knowledge and expertise of Japanese applied arts takes the reader on a unique journey of image and space. Rich in sophistication and full of vivid photos, Dunn writes about the Japnese sense of simplicity. The selected works represent a glimpse of Japanese treasures often kept from public view, thereby making Inspired Design a book that must be read by anyone interested in understanding the history and tradition of Japanese artisitc expression. Tremendous effort was taken to show how applied arts have evolved as Japanese craftmen refined their techniques. It is an exquisit book appropriate for the novice as well as those possessing deep knowledge of Japan.

David Wagner
Tokyo Japan
September 2007

Traditional Japanese Designs (Design Source Books)

Average customer rating:

A relatively good book - depends on what you're looking for

Traditional Japanese Designs (Design Source Books)
Polly Pinder
Manufacturer: Search Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0855329742

Book Description

Stylised interpretations and beautiful illustrations of designs inspired by Japanese art - birds, flowers, plants, trees, figures, and more.

Customer Reviews:

A relatively good book - depends on what you're looking for.......2005-01-08

I guess why I didn't like this book much is probably more a question of tastes and of personal needs that it did not fit, rather than a problem of quality of the book itself.

There are about 80 different designs throughout the 32 pages. Most of them are pretty big, and all are extremly clearly outlined, making them very easy to copy. Beware though if you're used to make carbon copies, which leave marks on the other side of the page, as pages are printed on both sides.

But as an amateur web designer, I was looking for borders and rather "abstract" designs or small "sceneries" that I could adapt to use to decorate my website, as you find in the Dover series. But you don't find such things in that book. It's organized by categories, mostly animals (birds, fishes, butterflies) and plants (trees, bamboos, blossoms), with some traditional objects (fans, masks, buddhistic symbols) at the end. But there is no combination of several elements to create a more complex one. What I mean is that I'd wished that more designs would be like the one on the cover; but instead of having other combinations like that one for instance (two fans within a circle), all the other fans are individually represented.

Moreover, I find most of them pretty boring and plain (with a few exception in the blossom/flowers and butterflies sections), lacking the sum of details that you find in other books, a result of over-simplification.

I can see that this book could maybe be useful for someone who needs such simplified designs, for batik for instance, and this is why I gave it 3 stars. But for people who draw, either with "traditional" tools or digitally, and who are looking for highly detailed, somewhat intricate ones, they'll want to look elsewhere

The Book of Incense: Enjoying the Traditional Art of Japanese Scents

Average customer rating:

overrated
Kudos to Morita
Book of Incense
An excellent resource for Japanese incense lovers

The Book of Incense: Enjoying the Traditional Art of Japanese Scents
Kiyoko Morita
Manufacturer: Kodansha International (JPN)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 4770015577

Customer Reviews:

overrated.......2004-02-14

I got a copy of this book for $2 used and that was the right price. It went on and on for pages about one little detail and didnt tell me anything I wanted to know. Save your money for some other book. Other books are better and talk about more than putting silver leaf on ashes. Puh! No cones just charcoal. No herbs just stuff that no american can find.

Like the others said this book is short and thats it only saving grace. find another book unless you live in japan.

Kudos to Morita.......2003-12-27

I recently found a hardback copy of this book and what a difference. I loved the paperback, but having the photos in color was a great improvement. Now I have a much better idea what the ingredients used in Japanese incense really look like.

I am sooooo! grateful to Kiyoko Morita for introducing me to Japanese incense. I had so many misconceptions about Japanese incense prior to reading this book. I always thought it was expensive, but I found out when you do the math it's really cheaper than most Joss stick type incense.

Recently I have started trying the Kodo method of burning pure aloes wood, and having my friends come over to play the incense games. It wasn't as difficult as I had been led to believe.

If you haven't read this book and you love aromatic things then you are in for a real treat. Do yourself a favor and don't miss the experience.

Book of Incense.......2003-08-18

This book is primarily on Japanese incense and the Japanese Incense Ceremony, it is not about incense in general and especially about "making incense."

There are really only two books in English on the subject, and I find promotions of other incense books not related to this subject personally objectionable and innapropriate.

The presentation is wonderful, and it is an excellent treatment of the subject for the English speaking reader. It should be of particular interest to those interested in the Japanese Incense ceremony.

Ms. Kiyoko Morita takes the reader on a wonderful tour of the history of the "Incense Culture" in Japan. She takes the complex and extensive subject of Kodo (The Way of Incense) and skilfully organizes the most important areas.

You may not master the art of kodo from reading this book, but all the information is there to learn how to enjoy incense prepared kodo style, as well as how to give an incense party, and begin understanding the associated culture.

An excellent resource for Japanese incense lovers.......1999-11-13

After using incense for many years I found Japanese incense is the best among all. They only use herbs, spice and wood without any sythetic materials. The scents are very subtle and pleasing.

This book takes you through the history of Japanese incense. Your find that the most comment joss stick incense only has one houndred year history. Before then, Japanese burn woodchips, kneaded incense and granulated incense. From this, the book of incense takes you to a wonderful world of koh-do, incense ceremony.

Maybe you have heard of tea ceremony before. Incense ceremony is even more poetic, elegant and fun. This book explain how the ceremony is set up with pictures of beautiful utensils and instruments.

Book Description

A Japan Society Publication

Japanese craftsmen, fusing a love of natural materials like wood, bamboo, and clay with an eye for bold, essential form, elevated the design of utilitarian objects to an art unparalleled elsewhere in the world. Today the finest of these objects created for daily use are hugely popular-and eminently collectible.

This richly illustrated book, which accompanies a major exhibition organized by the Japan Society, is divided by five aesthetic tastes. It presents a superb selection of objects of lacquer, ceramics, metalwork, basketry, and textiles-ranging from humble tools for farmers to spectacular arms and armor, and refined utensils associated with the tea ceremony. Craft lovers, collectors, artists, and designers will welcome this tribute to these highly influential Japanese crafts.
100 illustrations, 80 in full color, 200 pages, 91/2 x 12"

Average customer rating:

Evocative, intelligent, interesting.

Fascinating, evocative, and illuminating.

Traditional Arts and Crafts of Japan
Christopher Dresser
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486279928

Book Description

Great Victorian classic offers unsurpassed coverage of architecture, ornament, pottery, calligraphy, drawing, lacquerware, metalware, textiles, religious symbols and more. Fascinating insights into Japanese culture: dancing girls, hara-kiri, tea-drinking ceremony, shrines and scenery, vegetation, etc. Over 200 exquisitely drawn illustrations. A delight for art and antique collectors, art historians, crafts enthusiasts, any lover of Japan.

Customer Reviews:

Evocative, intelligent, interesting........1998-05-17

Fascinating, evocative, and illuminating. It is almost as though we were with Christopher Dresser in Japan in 1877. He sketches, describes, and lives in Japan of the 19th Century. Tying together art, architecture, and religious symbols, he educates us about the sources and inspirations of Japanese (and other Asian) art and decoration. What a wonderful book for anyone interested in history, art, architecture, Japan, or good writing. His description of his first Japanese meal is a kick, also. Don't miss this one.

Fascinating, evocative, and illuminating........1998-05-16

It is almost as though we were with Christopher Dresser in Japan in 1877. He sketches, describes, and lives in the Japan of the 19th century. Tying together the art, architecture, and religious symbols, he educates us about the sources and inspirations of Japanese (and other Asian) art and decoration. What a wonderful book for anyone interested in history, art, architecture, Japan, or good writing. His description of his first Japanese meal is a kick, also. Don't miss this one.

Beginner's Guide to Traditional Japanese Embroidery (Beginner's Guide to Needlecrafts)

Average customer rating:

I Agree
Abysmal
Very Disappointed

Beginner's Guide to Traditional Japanese Embroidery (Beginner's Guide to Needlecrafts)
Julia D. Gray
Manufacturer: Search Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Embroidery | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0855328576

Book Description

For Julia Gray, silk is the finest of natural fibres and is full of life and shine. Embroidery on this beautiful fabric has been worked in many countries, but Julia finds the perfection aspired to in traditional Japanese embroidery a wonderful challenge. She learned in Japan by copying the work of a master, and found not only a way to stitch, but also a philosophy that allowed her to achieve balance and harmony in her everyday life. In this inspirational guide she shares her passion and in depth knowledge of the history and practice of this eastern art form. It covers everything from handling flat silk and twisting your own threads to working the different stitches and finishing off an embroidery. Japanese design is influenced by the four seasons, but traditional designs also use the colors and symbols associated with festivals—trees, dolls, fish, birds, and mythical figures. A series of simple step-by-step projects, which include the story behind each motif, help the reader to develop their techniques and learn about the symbolism of a great tradition.

Customer Reviews:

I Agree.......2002-05-28

I have been studying traditional Japanese embroidery for several years, and I can only say that I agree "in Spades" with the other two reviewers. Instead, purchase Shuji Tamura's book. It is superb.

Abysmal.......2002-01-11

Japanese embroidery is an exacting craft using precise techniques that must be correctly mastered. Either Ms. Gray never studied them or she is deliberately ignoring them, because much of the information in this book is wrong. Anyone who uses this book to study Japanese Embroidery will be disappointed in the results. And if he or she finds a real teacher, the reader will have to unlearn a great deal. Some of the instructions are really weird, for example, steaming the finished work a foot away from the fabric. This is not how it's done and for good reason. Save your money and buy Shuji Tamura's book on Japanese Embroidery.

Very Disappointed.......2002-01-08

When I saw this book I hoped for a wonderful addition to my library on things Japanese. But I am sadly disappointed.

Anyone who tries to use this book to guide them into the world of Traditional Japanese Embroidery will have a lot of trouble unlearning bad habits later on. I firmly recommend that anyone with an interest in Traditional Japanese Embroidery find a good teacher and use the standard text written by Shuiji Tamura entitled "Traditional Japanese Embroidery: Instructions for the Basic Techniques."

Book Description

This richly illustrated book presents the Jeffrey Montgomery collection of traditional Japanese art, one of the foremost collections of this art in the world.

Superb examples of lacquerware and metalwork, basketry, textiles, furniture, masks, sculpture, paintings, toys and ceramics, are organized by medium in five sections. These utilitarian objects of everyday life date from the Muromachi period ((1392-1568) to the early Meiji period (1868-1912), and were crafted by hardworking artisans for farmers, fishermen, town merchants and upper-class elite. The pieces these artisans produced reflect honesty and respect for all things both animate and inanimate: all the objects in the collection possess a unique and inherent quality of timeless beauty.

The introduction written by Dr. Edmund de Waal, a potter and a writer whose works are held in many museum collections, focuses on the history of the appreciation of Japanese Folk arts in the West. Indeed, the influence of Japanese folk art on modernist design and on the growth of the craft movement within the West has been extremely important.

The book continues with extensive texts written by four highly respected Japanese art historians. The entries are divided into five sections: ceramics, textiles, metalworks, masks, and additional objects (furniture, toys, sculptures, etc.) The book includes a chronology, a map of Japan, and index and bibliography.

Traditional Crafts from Japan (Culture Crafts)

Average customer rating:

Traditional Crafts from Japan (Culture Crafts)
Florence Temko
Manufacturer: Lerner Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0822529386

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