This June 2013 issue (No. 539) of Chiisana Tsubomi (小さな蕾) comes from the long-running Japanese magazine dedicated to antique art, folk crafts, ceramics, lacquerware, museum collections, and cultural heritage. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the magazine is an excellent reference for collectors and anyone interested in Japanese mingei and traditional craftsmanship.
The principal feature of this issue is 「民藝再発見」 (Rediscovering Mingei / Folk Craft), presenting works from the collection of the Mori Art Museum (杜の美術館). The feature revisits the appeal of mingei—the Japanese folk craft tradition that celebrates the beauty found in functional, handmade objects created by anonymous or regional craftspeople.
The charming cover, featuring a seated folk figure carrying a large object over the shoulder, perfectly reflects the issue's emphasis on the warmth, individuality, and playful character of traditional Japanese folk art.
Another major feature, 「漆の美―彫漆・螺鈿・蒔絵」, explores the beauty of Japanese lacquer art, including chōshitsu (彫漆, carved lacquer), raden (螺鈿, mother-of-pearl inlay), and maki-e (蒔絵, sprinkled gold or silver decoration), in connection with a special exhibition at the Tokugawa Art Museum.
Size: 13 x 18cm
144 pages
