History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

A knowledgeable and "user-friendly" study of domestic Japanese architecture
Informative Guide! (Adds a touch of logistical reality to creating a dream home)

Building the Japanese House Today

Manufacturer: "Harry N. Abrams, Inc."
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Japanese House: Architecture and Interiors
Measure and Construction of the Japanese House
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The Japanese Bath
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ASIN: 0810959313

Book Description

Built like a piece of fine furniture, the traditional Japanese house is universally admired for its clean lines, intricate joinery, and unparalleled woodworking. Focusing primarily on a new guesthouse in California, this elegant volume shows how a classic Japanese house can be built to offer the warmth and comfort that modern homemakers require.

Len Brackett, rigorously trained as a temple carpenter in Kyoto, has spent decades adapting the ancient Japanese design aesthetic to Western needs. Here he demonstrates step-by-step how both the traditional live-on-the-floor house, as well as models that accommodate furniture, can be constructed to provide such modern essentials as central heating, insulation, computerized lighting systems, and the latest electronics. This practical and inspiring guide-with gorgeous, clear photos and diagrams-is an indispensable resource for those who'd like to live in a Japanese home, for professionals who want to build them, and for any reader who delights in Japan's age-old aesthetic traditions.

Customer Reviews:

A knowledgeable and "user-friendly" study of domestic Japanese architecture.......2006-09-08

Superbly illustrated with photography from Aya Brackett, Building The Japanese House Today by Peggy Landers and Len Brackett is an outstanding collection of beautiful and decorative architectural designs drawn from the Japanese traditional and contemporary architectural ideas and ideals. Deftly co-authored to provide a wealth of usable and informed perspectives, Building The Japanese House Today offers such particulars as preliminary design decisions for building a Japanese home; design directions based on living with or without furniture a chart showing the relative proportions of components of the traditional house; lumber selection, drying and milling; design and construction of a Japanese bath; technical drawings showing how to make traditional architecture conform to western building codes; sources and contacts for materials and craftsmen; and twenty pages of professional plans and diagrams to guide readers through the simple and elegant procedures of construction. A core addition to any professional or academic library Architectural Studies reference collection, Building The Japanese House Today is very highly recommended for non-specialist general readers searching for a knowledgeable and "user-friendly" study of domestic Japanese architecture.

Informative Guide! (Adds a touch of logistical reality to creating a dream home).......2006-02-26

For anyone who has dreamed of building a Japanese style house, this book is a must! The book takes you through the construction of a building from start to finish. All the things the customers and builders had to consider in construction. (From design, to permits, to materials,to assembly and finally finishing) This is a good way to get an idea of what building a traditional or westernized version of a Japanese house would entail, in terms of time and resources. It would also provide a neat book for house design to see the way traditional Japanese design styles have been incorporated to fit into American style homes.

One of the authors, Len Brackett, is the owner of East Wind which does Traditional Japanese Architecture and Woodworking. The beautiful woodwork this company does is extraordinary!! Len spent more than 5 years in Japan as a temple carpentry apprentice. The book also included an interesting chapter describing him time there. For more information on East Wind, (and to get a better idea of what the book describes) try visiting their website eastwindinc.com

The Very Small Home: Japanese Ideas for Living Well in Limited Space

Average customer rating:

Small Book < Top Review
you'll want one of these houses
1700sqft are BIG and luxurious in Hong Kong
It's ok but not to Canadian code
Very Interesting

The Very Small Home: Japanese Ideas for Living Well in Limited Space
Azby Brown
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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House Plans | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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The Big Book of Small House Designs: 75 Award-Winning Plans for Your Dream House, All 1,250 Square Feet or Less
Mini House Style
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Small Spaces: Stylish Ideas for Making More of Less in the Home

ASIN: 4770029993
Release Date: 2005-05-01

Book Description

Building small can be a sign of higher ambitions, and those who take the time to peruse these pages will undoubtedly grow to appreciate that creating a small home can be an amazingly positive and creative act, one which can enhance life in surprising ways. The Very Small Home presents stunning design advances in Japan. Eighteen recent houses, from ultramodern to Japanese rustic, are explored in depth. Particular emphasis is given to what the author call the Big Idea-the overarching concept that does the most to make the house feel more spacious than it actually is. Among the Big Ideas introduced here are ingenious sources of natural light, well-thought-out atriums, snug but functional kitchens, unobtrusive partitions, and free-flowing circulation paths. An introduction by the author puts the house designs in the context of lifestyle trends, and highlights their shared characteristics. For each project, the intentions of the designers and occupants are examined. The result is a very human sensibility that runs through the book. A glimpse of the dreams and aspirations that these unique homes represent and that belies their apparent modesty. The second half of the book is devoted to illustrating the special features in the homes, from clever storage and kitchen designs, to ingenious skylights and nooks. As with his earlier Small Spaces, Azby Brown has given home owners, designers, and architects a fascinating new collection of thought-provoking ideas.

Customer Reviews:

Small Book < Top Review.......2007-07-15

Interesting book well written, good details and good pictures, an insperation to those who seek some good ideas in looking as space saving ideas.

you'll want one of these houses.......2007-06-15

gorgeous and inspired houses. the creativity will amaze you ^_^
you will probably be jealous of the people who actually live in the houses in the book.

1700sqft are BIG and luxurious in Hong Kong.......2007-04-18

"Small" is a matter of perspective, especially if you live in a 700sqft apartment and expect to get some ideas to use in small 300-450sqft apartments on Hong Kong Island.

It's ok but not to Canadian code.......2007-04-04

The book is full of ideas but most not really practical when it comes to code and fire safety issues in canada. I was expecting more out of this book.......... slightly dissapointing.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-14

Japanese design is different to Western design in terms of living requirements.

I now have a much deeper understanding of the creation of small living spaces that work well rather than building bigger for re-sale or convention.

Hopefully, my own home (when built) will be an east-west fusion that I will enjoy for a long time.

This book is part of my collection on 'small home' design and one which I return to when I need to remind myself about scaling down.

Average customer rating:

Sources problem
Beautiful Baths!
japanese bath resource
Beautiful, elegant, informative
One of a Kind

The Japanese Bath
Bruce Smith , and Yoshiko Yamamoto
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 158685027X

Book Description

In the West, a bath is a place one goes to cleanse the body. In Japan, one goes there to cleanse the soul. Bathing in Japan is about much more than cleanliness: it is about family and community. It is about being alone and contemplative, time to watch the moon rise above the garden. Along with sixty full-color illustrations of the light and airy baths themselves, The Japanese Bath, delves into the aesthetic of bathing Japanese style and the innate beauty of the steps surrounding the process. The authors explain how to create a Japanese bath in your own home. A Zen meditation, the Japanese bath, indeed, cleanses the soul, and one emerges refreshed, renewed, and serene.

Customer Reviews:

Sources problem.......2007-05-07

Beautiful pictures and instructional text. However, one wonders why the authors included some of the "Resources" they did. Some of these have no website or catalogue. Example: Soko Hardware in San Francisco. So, if you don't live in the Bay Area, including them was almost useless. I would have liked to have seen more sources with which one can view and buy items.

Beautiful Baths!.......2007-04-04

Delight your every sense by checking out this book. The beautiful photography will help you design your relaxing bath space.

japanese bath resource.......2007-02-27

This book helped me design my Japanese bath and provided a wonderful resource for my ofuro-Sea Otter Woodworks in Alaska. I love the book and my new bath.

Beautiful, elegant, informative.......2007-01-10

This book will make you want to float oranges and blossoms in your bathtub (if that's the best you can do)--or better yet, find a way to construct your own beautiful bathing space. Interesting info about the history and substance of Japanese style bathing, both in terms of the physical act of soaking (and the difference between soaking and cleansing) and the sociological background and aesthetics of the time spent in the tub. The photos are gorgeous and the combination of the visuals and the texts stimulates every sense. A great read, and a great vehicle for dreaming of quieter, more peaceful times.

One of a Kind.......2007-01-10

While this is one of the only English-language books thoroughly covering the Japanese bath, it would likely stand alone in a trove of similar books. Thoughtful, concise, and with A+ color photography, the book will fool you into thinking you can pick it up to get a few tips on building a bathtub--and before you know it, you're immersed in a lifestyle that defines the Japanese Bath.

Night of the Ninjas (Magic Tree House #5)

Average customer rating:

MY BOY LOVES READING IT
Night of the Ninjas
Nigh of the Ninjas
Night of the Ninjas
An imperfect series that nontheless captures children's attention

Night of the Ninjas (Magic Tree House #5)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House, Book 3)

ASIN: 0679863710
Release Date: 1995-03-21

Book Description

The tree house is back--but where is the enchantress Morgan le Fay? The search for her begins as Jack and Annie are transported back to ancient Japan, where they find themselves in the cave of a ninja master. Will the evil samurai warriors get to Jack and Annie before they can learn the secrets of the ninjas?

Customer Reviews:

MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Night of the Ninjas.......2006-11-02

Night of the Ninjas
By Mary Pope Osborne

Would you like to hear about a book called Night of the Ninjas? The two main characters are Jack and Annie. They find a Magic Tree House that allows them to travel through time. In this book, they go back to the time of the ninjas. They are captured and taken to the head ninja. I'm not telling what's next. The series is Magic Tree House. This is book number five. Read the book to find out what happens to Jack and Annie.

Terry, 7 years old
Cunniff School
Watertown, MA.

Nigh of the Ninjas.......2006-05-12

This book is a very nice mystery chapter book. When you finish it, you want to add a chapter or 2. This book is mostly about ninjas. Jack and Annie have a big problem to solve. Their friend, Molly, was in a trap! She sends them a letter. It says, "Help! In a land of ninjas! In a tree house!" Jack and Annie are afraid! They want to help Molly but they can't, that's because they don't know how to get to ninja's land. I won't tell you any more. If you want to know more, then read the book. I think it's a good book to read.

Night of the Ninjas.......2006-03-14

Raymond Georges 3/13/06

Ms. Hillgardner Class: English

Title: Magic Tree House #5

Night of the Ninjas

Author: Mary pope Osborne

Illustrator: Sal Murdocca

Jack and Annie the two main characters. They go to the magic Tree house. It whisks them to ancient Japan. Their mission is to find their friend Morgan, while their friend Jack and Annie get seen by two ninjas. Jack saw them as a treat so he was very caution. They followed the Ninjas through valley up mountains and in the forest. They saw a few samurai warriors who were looking for the ninjas since they are with them the samurai see jack and Annie as emesis.
On their little journey they way of Jack and Annie met the ninja Master. He told Jack and Annie," Use nature be nature, Follow nature, if you use these three things you will find your way to the tree house and find your friend Morgan pg 38. I'm not going to tell you anymore because I do not want to spoil it

An imperfect series that nontheless captures children's attention.......2006-02-10

The Magic Tree House series is a great idea that could be executed much better. I agree with some of the other reviewers comments regarding limited and in some instances dubious information on their subject matter. However, I am giving this book four stars because my five year old son loves it. I have found it a struggle to finds books that he will sit down and read with me and the fact that this book grasps his attention is a great credit to it. In fact, now that I have bought the first eight books in the series, his ten year old sisters are reading and enjoying them, also. These books serve the purpose of introducing a topic (usually historical) and sparking a child's that can then be pursued in other books.

The original Magic School Bus series (by Joanna Cole - not the ones taken from the TV show) is a much better series that incorporates a lot of science with a fun story line.

Average customer rating:

nice pix
Modern Japanese House *****
Modern Japanese House, by Naomi Pollock

Modern Japanese House
Naomi Pollock
Manufacturer: Phaidon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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Japan Houses
Art Invention House
Building the Japanese House Today
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Hariri and Hariri Houses

ASIN: 071484554X

Book Description

Modern Japanese House is an overview of recent domestic design trends in Japan and features an array of projects from a variety of architects, both known and new to the international architecture scene. The projects are divided into five chapters - Tiny Houses, Inside/ Outside, Multi Generation Houses, Work/Play, and Vacation Houses - that reflect the issues particular to residential design in Japan. Architects featured include such familiar figures as Kazuyo Sejima, Jun Aoki, Shigeru Ban, Hitoshi Abe and Shuhei Endo, as well as lesser known practitioners such as Nobuaki Furuya, Hiroshii Nakao, among others.

Customer Reviews:

nice pix.......2006-11-10

this book has nice pix of interesting, inspiring houses with some usable ideas

Modern Japanese House *****.......2006-02-25

The book is a very complete review of modern japanese houses, divided in very accurate categories. Naomi Pollock is very clear in explaining the evolution of each subject and she describes each house in a superb way. The photographs are gorgeous.Excellent quality, very recommendable, it's worthy paying for a book like this.
Cecilia Domenech

Modern Japanese House, by Naomi Pollock.......2006-02-04

This beautiful book is obviously a must-read for architects and designers; it more than fulfills their expectations as to tge ingenuity and esthetic genius of the new wave of Japanese home-builders. That is not what inspired me to write this, my first on-line book review. Rather, it is the book's essays on current changes in Japanese culture, life-styles, and domestic paraphenalia that make it, surprisingly, a treat for anyone interested in cintemporary Asia.
Rutherford Poats, New York
rudpoats@aol.com

Measure and Construction of the Japanese House

Average customer rating:

For architects, not interior designers
Clearly Illustrates Traditional Japanese Construction
A great reference about japanese architecture

Measure and Construction of the Japanese House
Heino Engel
Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0804814929

Customer Reviews:

For architects, not interior designers.......2003-02-08

When I ordered this book, I was expecting to see a lot of pictures to help me design my house. But to my dismay, most of the colorless pages just feature blueprints that only an architect would understand. I kept the book for future reference.

Clearly Illustrates Traditional Japanese Construction.......2001-07-29

Anyone who wishes to build a Japanese tea room either in the garden or attached to their house could do well to start with this book. You can also use this book to design accents for a single room, or to craft an entire house. It was written by a German architect who lived in Japan several decades ago and carefully measured surving older buildings as well as studying architecture there. While there are more detailed books in Japanese, this may well still be the best available book in English.

A great reference about japanese architecture.......2000-05-05

If you are an architect interested in japanese constructional systems, this is THE BOOK for you. If you aren't but find japanese culture a fountain of inspiration for living, you must read this extraordinary piece of art. Perhaps it don't shine like a jewel, but once you open it, you'll find the work of a man who decided to share his mastery. In this book, diagrams, materials, craftmanship, even detailed descriptions of the human space requirements are fully explained with precision and simplicity. Every page, and every example in them, is a world that must be carefully examined. And when doing so, you'll find that what the author is showing us, is more than a book about japanese houses: is the heart of the japanese carpenters and architects living in its pages.

Average customer rating:

Great Book, Everything I expected from Kerr
Elegant + photographically splendid

Living in Japan
Alex Kerr , and Kathy Arlyn Sokol
Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Lost Japan
Architecture in Japan (Architecture (Taschen))
Dogs and Demons: Tales from the Dark Side of Modern Japan
Minimal Style: Exteriors, Interiors Details (Taschen Icons)
Japan Modern: New Ideas for Contemporary Living

ASIN: 3822845949

Book Description

Nippon nests: Today's most exceptional Japanese homes

So rich and unique is traditional Japanese architecture that it's hard to improve upon. Yet contemporary Japanese designers and architects keep finding new ways to refurbish and take inspiration from the ways of old. Whether it's a pristinely preserved traditional house or a cutting-edge apartment, the best Japanese homes share a love of cleverly designed spaces and warm materials such as wood, bricks, and bamboo. From a thatched roof farmhouse occupied by a Zen priest to Tadao Ando's experimental 4x4 House, Shigeru Ban's conceptual Shutter House, and a beautiful homage to bamboo in the form of a home, this book traverses the multifaceted landscape of Japanese living today. Also included is a list of addresses and a glossary of terms, such as tatami.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book, Everything I expected from Kerr.......2007-03-10

I am a big fan of Alex Kerr and this book did not let me down. It contains a many images that aren't normally seen in most traditional print, and thankfully none of the babbeling of authors that only spend a week in Japan and white about the "true Japan". The last thing I am looking for is another tatami mat or Japanese screen.

I have already begun a home re-modeling plan with some of the ideas in this book. I also got the idea from another one of Kerr's books, and began to collect old Japanese lumber to re-use in my own home.

Thanks Alex!

Elegant + photographically splendid.......2007-02-06

This large format book intertwines a narrative about the architectural and aesthetic merits of selected living spaces in Japan, ranging from beach-side dwellings to compact apartments to spacious and serene courtyards. The title could be misconstrued as living/lifestyle in Japan but really it refers to 'living spaces' or modes of housing and integration with architecture. The scope ranges from well renowned architecturally meritorious buildings to precious traditional Kyoto dwellings. The elegant photography captures the serenity, angles, glimpses and innovation of the structures with sensitivity and initial impressions are challenged and augmented by the thoroughly researched commentary. The author's long-time residence in Japan and understanding of its culture underlies the text. I think this book would appeal to the architect, appreciator of spaces and aesthetics. It seems quite reasonable for such a large, hardcover book.

Average customer rating:

Playing In the Shadows
Well worth the price
Excellent Book, Beautiful Photography
A LITTLE book, indeed

Japanese Style
Suzanne Slesin , Stafford Cliff , and Daniel Rozensztroch
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

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Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0517560801
Release Date: 1988-04-06

Book Description

Slesin and Cliff ( French Style and English Style) with their coauthor and photographer from Caribbean Style look at the richness, diversity, and never-ending romance of how the Japanese live today, as expressed through interior design. 770 full-color photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Playing In the Shadows.......2004-06-15

In another book I recently read of the importance of shadows in the domestic architecture of Japan. Openings aren't created simply to provide light, they are used t leave part of a room dim and private and to provide illumination only exactly where needed. The photography in Japanese Style (by Gilles de Chabaneix) captures this beautifully, even as the writers focus on other possible threads.

Any discussion of the intimate side of Japanese architecture and space use will spend a lot of time on the vast dichotomy between modern Japan and the style most Americans are familiar with - the traditional housing that represents over a millennia of incremental design. This book follows the same theme, moving from rural manor to a tiny Tokyo apartment, from beautifully carved wood to the unique character of poured concrete.

The more you look through this book, the more you realize that Japanese designers have managed to bridge the time gap rather than making an abrupt leap. Even though the change appears to be radical, the underlying sensitivity to arrangement and a knack for disciplined minimalism have been there all along. One glance at the photographs of a four level home build on a 320 square foot lot is all you need to realize that there is an unerring understanding of harmony and purpose. Style becomes a two way street - Tokyo has evolved as an expression of the Japanese esthetic, at the same time as the conditions of the city have shaped the artistic experience.

Buy this book for the photographs. For the most part the writers contribute little, other than providing some context. But De Chabeneix has an intuitive sense of how to see what the Japanese resident is seeing. Often the shots are magical, different angles of the same room look so difference that it is only on the second or third glance that you realize you are looking at the same room serving multiple purposes. As a result, you capture what it takes to make the Japanese Style happen anywhere, with any materials.

Well worth the price.......2003-06-23

Because we are in the process of designing and building a Zen Danish (as we call it) new home I purchased this wonderful book in order to get some specific ideas. Of special interest are the similarities between the Danish and Japanese styles that we love.

What amazed me is this book was published in the 80's yet I swear this book looks like it is a 2003 or futuristic publication that is timeless and well worth the hefty price of the book.

The section on Small Spaces is excellent and a chapter I would recommend for anyone who is looking to build either a small yet open home for one or two, or the second home in the mountains or sear the seashore.

I love the section on lofts and how they can be made to be classy, and not cluttered. And the whole chapter on craftsmanship which is actually what makes a Zen style living area so wonderful to me. Beginning on page 100 I gained some excellent ideas for our new garden and wisdom on how to have just the right amount of plant life and a koi pond to make the outside a part of ones living environment, rather than the grass and other high maintenance yards the average American has.

It is a book I find myself picking up every few days, reading a few pages and getting new ideas I can actually use.

Excellent Book, Beautiful Photography.......2001-03-01

This has got to be one of the best "Style" Books ever published. Excellent examples of architecture, beautiful interior design, and superb photography. Just the right juxtaposition of traditional and modern. Each of the major sections has both Japanese and Western Styles. Normally this would not mix, had it been contrived, but all of the examples in the book are real houses where people live and work. No Architectural Digest type of Houses that look artificial and posed are to be found in this book. My favorites are the tranditional Japanese houses of which there really great examples. This book can give you hundreds of ideas for decorating your house tastefully. The photography really does justice to these houses and the subtle aesthetics of the Japanese Style.

I collect "Style Books", and this has long been one of my favorites. I have had this book for over ten years and still look at it from time to time.

I would like to point out that the other review for this book below refers to a Miniature version of this book, and is probably a misunderstanding of some sort.

A LITTLE book, indeed.......2000-02-04

To have this book labeled Paperback edition of the original SUPERB hardcover book without qualification is a little bit too much for me.

Even at a quarter of the price, this 4 1/2 inch book is nothing compared to the original edition.

And still I don't regret having it, because it reminds me of the big hardcover book...

The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty
Average customer rating:

Wabi-Sabi, Huh?????

A good organizational reference book

A wonderful book!

How wabi sabi goes beyond the house

Good ideas, somewhat elitist

The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty
Robyn Griggs Lawrence
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decorating | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Zen | Buddhism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400050464
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Book Description

What is wabi-sabi?

Simply put, wabi-sabi is the marriage of the Japanese wabi, meaning humble, and sabi, which connotes beauty in the natural progression of time. Together, the phrase invites us to set aside our pursuit of perfection and learn to appreciate the simple, unaffected beauty of things as they are. Wabi-sabi can be found in the deep cracks of a weathering pine table. It is flea markets, wildflowers, and cobblestones. Intimately tied to Zen Buddhism, wabi-sabi is an aesthetic that welcomes comfort and a subtle spiritual component into the home. It is not a decorating style, per se, but a mind-set. To create a true wabi-sabi environment, one must slowly strip away excess and learn to be satisfied living in the moment.

The Wabi-Sabi House recounts the rich history of this emerging trend in home design and reveals countless ways to introduce wabi-sabi elements into contemporary living spaces, including tips for gracefully decorating with salvaged materials and vintage furnishings, advice on how to rediscover the lost joy of hand-crafting household items (or supporting artisans who do), and simple solutions for clearing clutter and blocking noise (even with a spouse, kids, and no closet space).

But The Wabi-Sabi House is so much more than a handbook for interior design. With heart and a sense of humor, author Robyn Griggs Lawrence gently reminds us that there is a life in lifestyle books, and she encourages people from all walks of life to slow down and recognize beauty in what may seem ordinary.

Intimate, authoritative, and truly inspirational, The Wabi-Sabi House lays the foundation for transforming any home into a nurturing retreat from a hectic world.

Customer Reviews:

Wabi-Sabi, Huh?????.......2006-08-19

In answering the question of what Wabi-Sabi means to me, I have to go with the concept that less is more, and it really doesn't matter if the expense of doing something is astronomical or well within one's budget. What does it all say abut you and what your attempting to achieve? Are you talking about your home, your life style, your neighborhood and or your friends and family? What will tell everyone and anyone who just walks in off the street that you are practicing Wabi-Sabi? How can they see that you are not being a whacko or over extravicant and are just showing you that life can be what is just right for you and your place of abode and not be the perfect place to beat all perfection?
If it is imperfection that you are attempting to show/achieve, then less must certainly be more, it is just how you present it in order for everyone else to see how comfortable you are with what and who you are...ED

A good organizational reference book.......2006-02-25

There is so much beauty in simplicity. This book offers many helpful suggestions in how to simplify your decor and your life.

A wonderful book!.......2005-09-19

I have told everyone I know to get this book as a starter to the world of Wabi-Sabi-- a beautiful cover also makes it lovely to look at and I like the sepia pages... I have re-examined my life using some of her practical tips. Get it if you are curious about this art of imperfection...

How wabi sabi goes beyond the house.......2005-07-21

I have read a handful of books dealing with the Japanese concept of wabi sabi (variously translated as "the art of imperfection" or "the beauty of the old and the new"), everything from Soetsu Yanagi to Leonard Koren. This book by Robyn Griggs Lawrence continues in the same vein of trying to put into words for a Western audience an amorphous and ambiguous idea, specifically as it applies to home decor.

For the most part the author gets it right. She gives the reader a little bit of historical background into the idea (its roots in Zen Buddhism and development from the tea ceremony) and then shows examples of how to put it into practice in a Western context. This is not a book about decorating your home in a neo-Japanese style, but rather how to make tangible a Japanese-originated aesthetic philosophy.

In some ways, she goes beyond the strict confines of home decor and discusses wabi sabi in other areas of life, which is appropriate because wabi sabi, as I unerstand it, is really a whole school of thought. In one chapter she delves into crafts, from knitting to woodworking to cooking. I found this interesting because I am a hobby woodworker/furniture maker who is slowly crafting most of the furniture my family lives with.

I realized, in reading this book, that wabi sabi is an aesthetic I have been reaching for in a number of areas without knowing until recently what it was called. For years I have been interested in a variety of topics, including Zen, environmentalism, the voluntary simplicity movement, modern design and architecture, and woodworking. Wabi sabi is the theme that ties these interests together. It is an approach to life, not just a decorating style or, worse, a magical, mystical belief in the power of red satin under your mattress and mirrors above your stove (`a la "feng shui", the popular Chinese-based belief in the flow of energy patterns in a building).

While mostly positive about this book, I do have a couple bones to pick. Griggs Lawrence is a big advocate of shopping in flea markets and antique stores, looking for the piece with just right wabi sabi patina of age and imperfection. Personally, I have no use for other people's old stuff. Just 'cause it's old, don't make it valuable. Why would I want to buy somebody else's history? To me, finding something that is fresh and new, innovative in the way it accomplishes a task, simple and engaging in its design, and gets incorporated into my daily routine is a better expression of wabi sabi than finding an old wash basin at a garage sale and using it as a fruit bowl.

Case in point: Griggs Lawrence has a predilection for a good cup of tea and even takes a swipe at Americans and their need for fancy cappuccino makers. Whoa there! Now she's hitting a little too close to home. My wife and I love a good cappuccino. Last Christmas I bought us what many might consider an extavagant Italian coffee machine. In actuality, it is quite simple (no fancy automatic controls), but it is built like the proverbial Sherman tank. I am quite sure it will survive decades of heavy daily use. After almost a year the gleaming stainless steel exterior has begun to mellow and it has become an integral part of our everyday life. Getting up at daybreak and going through the routine of making my wife a cappuccino with all the love and caring I can has become a sort of daily moving meditation for me. This coffee machine is just as much an expression of wabi sabi as the simple glass vase that displays a single flower sitting on the floating wooden shelf I made in the dining room.

All in all, though, if your are interested in the concept of wabi sabi this is a good book. If you are truly interested in wabi sabi as an aesthetic there are other books that will go deeper into roots of the idea. If you are interested in how the concept has been expressed by artists and craftsmen (perhaps without mentioning the phrase), there are books about that too. Most of these are listed in the excellent bibliography of the Griggs Lawrence book, one of the highlights of the book.

Good ideas, somewhat elitist.......2005-06-27

I admit that I am not sure what to think of this book (and my revisions of this review reflect that).The author works for Interweave Press, whose magazines I purchased for many years, and I have to say that her genuine humility and open-ness shine through the book. The description, and the general idea, sounded wonderful: learn to simplify, appreciate what you have, embrace imperfection, etc. etc. But.....

The "imperfection" referred to here is not the reality that your table has coffee rings on it which you can't get out. It's the subtle irregularities found in really good hand-thrown pottery, for instance, or the slight wavery imperfections found in old glass.This is a huge, huge, difference. Be aware that this book talks mostly about very expensive ways to implement this philosophy, which comes out of Japanese feudal times, and was dictated by the tastes of their nobles. Since the emphasis is upon natural materials and hand-made articles, with mass-produced and mass marketed items frowned upon (however well made or designed), it's not a book for decorating from your favorite mass merchandiser. Note the bit about mass-marketing: wabi-sabi doesn't care if it's in good taste or well-designed. If it's not unique, it doesn'et want it. I fail to understand why good design becomes bad just because other people appreciate it. Nor is it really about appreciating what beauty there is in that couch that your sister passed on to you after it got given to her by someone who was going to throw it out.

And therein is the rub... wabi-sabi attracts those who, like myself, are on quite a budget. Alas, the standards it sets are very high. The author, who is herself on a budget, is free in admitting that she can't make the cut for her ideas of wabi-sabi, and a lot of the book is about her musings on how her own life doesn't meet these standards. There are real gems in here, but they are tned to float around in a sea of recommendations that left me feeling guilty about my home.

For instance, it gives as an example the author spending literally years with a duvet cover sewn from two sheets, until she could afford to pay a group of American quilters to spend three months hand-sewing a quilt. (One is temmpted to ask if the sheets were handwoven, and what about the duvet itself?) The author talks freely about how she does not like her vinyl flooring; during the remodel she did not have the money for the type of flooring she would have liked, and she had to have something to finish it up. It seems to me that something has gone rather wrong with a concept that is supposed to help people simplify and enjoy their lives, imperfections and all, when it leads to more guilt trips over meeting a standard that is just not obtainable by most of us.

The pity is that there are some wonderful concepts struggling to break free of a rigid identification with the tastes of an antique Japanese feudal system. The whole idea about wabi-sabi was for the Nobility of that time to use what was available to them from rustic local producers, instead of items imported from mainland China, which were more expensive, more "perfect", and more colorful. For them, this was simplification. What would be the equivalent for us nowadays? Ideas about quiet and perhaps pulling back on housekeeping perfectionism are worth looking at. Were we to really look at using what is appropriate to our lives (instead of tormenting ourselves because it was made by machine), we'd all do much better.

And I must say that the "inside confessions" of what it is like doing home photo shoots for a magazine (she has directed many) are definitely worth reading. I'm probably going to get a clothesline up (as soon as I can afford one) and knit some dishcloths from the cheap cotton yarn I have hanging around. (The author keeps mentioning knitted dishcloths, and I had never thought about it.) I don't know if it will be wabi-sabi. But it will be what I can do.

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