This is the January 2013 issue (No. 534) of Chiisana Tsubomi (小さな蕾), a long-running Japanese monthly magazine dedicated to antiques, traditional crafts, historical art and collecting. Its title, meaning Little Bud, reflects the magazine's appreciation for the subtle beauty and cultural significance of historical objects.
The main feature of this issue is 「数寄の空間 — 土井孝雄さんを訪ねて」 (A Space of Refined Taste – Visiting Takao Doi), offering a glimpse into the world of Japanese antique collecting and the art of arranging historical objects within a thoughtfully curated space.
The Japanese concept of suki (数寄) expresses a cultivated appreciation for beauty, particularly in the traditions of tea culture, ceramics and antiques. Through a visit to Takao Doi, this feature explores the relationship between treasured objects and their surroundings, celebrating the understated elegance of Japanese aesthetics.
The cover features a rustic antique ceramic jar displayed on a traditional dark wooden cabinet. Its earthy tones, weathered surface and simple form beautifully express the Japanese appreciation for natural materials, imperfection and the passage of time.
Another notable feature is 「土偶DOGUに迫る 最終回」 (Exploring Dogū – Final Instalment), associated with the MIHO MUSEUM autumn exhibition Dogū and Cosmos. This article introduces the fascinating world of ancient Japanese dogū, clay figurines created during the Jōmon period, exploring their distinctive forms and cultural significance.
Size: 13 x 18cm
144 pages
