OF ALL THE ISAMU NOGUCHI BOOKS IN THE WORLD.

MAKE IT THIS ONE. THE TITLE

IS 1931 50 51 52 JAPAN. IT

WAS PUBLISHED IN 1953 BY BIJUTSU SHUPPAN-SHA IN TOKYO AND DOCUMENTS NOGUCHI'S FIRST VISIT FORMATIVE VISIT TO JAPAN

IN 1931 AND HIS THREE SUBSEQUENT VISITS IN THE FIFTIES. VERY RARELY

FOUND WITH ITS JACKET.

AND IT IS, MOST CERTAINLY,

A JACKET REQUIRED BOOK. 

One of the great modern mid-century books. Everything about it. The most aesthetically appealing cover design we have seen forever. 
 

Isamu Noguchi. Looking not a lot unlike the sculpted model on the cover. The man is a meditation in human form. If you are not familiar with artist then this is what Mailchimp's write with AI feature has to say...

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese-American artist and landscape architect who created breathtaking sculptures, gardens, and stage sets. His works have been displayed all over the world, including at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Noguchi Museum in New York City. Noguchi's innovative designs and use of materials, such as stone, wood, and metal, continue to inspire artists today.

The AI didn't mention Noguchi's 'friends with (internet gossip) benefits' relationship with Frida Kahlo. This newsletter will still be carefully composed and written in pencil for a few years to come. 

As a sculptor, Noguchi was world class. As a lighting designer was universally acclaimed and remains omnipresent. This book documents Noguchi's trips to Japan and it was on these work trips that he began the Akari series of bamboo and washi paper lamps. 
 

He was less well known for chair designs but this rattan rarity is a joy to discover in the corner of this page. 
 

Like Donald Judd with curves. An artist whose furniture, interiors and environments were where the art lived most comfortably. 
 

Every shape he made was enjoyable. He traced nature. We are - perhaps you can tell - blown away by the beauty of this book. 
 

And that's that. One copy. In its dustjacket. In this condition. And yours on the blue button below. To fill the space between Christmas and New Year.