Kanban - Traditional Shop Signs of Japan

Kanban provides a tantalizing look at this distinctive fusion of art and commerce. This beautifully illustrated book traces the history of shop signs in Japan, examines how they were created, and explores some of the businesses and trades they advertised. Some kanban are elongated panels of lacquered wood painted with elegant calligraphy and striking images, while others are ornately carved representative sculptures of munificent deities or carp climbing waterfalls. There are oversized functional Buddhist prayer beads, and everyday objects such as tobacco pipes, shoes, combs, and writing brushes. The book also includes archival photographs of market life in "old Japan," woodblock prints of bustling marketplaces, and images of the goods advertised with these intricate and beguiling objects.

About the author

Alan Scott Pate

Summary

A glimpse into the markets, crafts, and signage of early modern Japan Kanban are the traditional signs Japanese merchants displayed on the street to advertise their presence, represent the products and services to be found inside their shops, and lend a sense of individuality to the shops themselves. Created from wood, bamboo, iron, paper, fabric,

Additional text

"The excellent color photography throughout the entire volume will allow those who were unable to attend the exhibition to experience the fascination of these objects while suggesting the potential for further research."---Martha Chaiklin, New Books Asia

Product details

• Authors: Alan Scott Pate, Pate Alan Scott
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.04.2017
• EAN: 9780691176475
• ISBN: 978-0-691-17647-5
• No. of pages: 160
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Art history; Japan, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, 20th Century, ART / History / General, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, HISTORY / Asia / Japan, ART / Asian / General, ART / Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions / General, ART / Asian / Japanese, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, History of Art, Exhibition catalogues & specific collections, Social and cultural history, East Asia, Far East, Asian History, Exhibition catalogues and specific collections, Oriental art