The Aesthetics of the Japanese Lunchbox

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Beginning with the Japanese lunchbox, Kenji Ekuan, Japan's foremost industrial designer, launches into a book-length meditation on "the source of the Japanese style of making things." For anyone interested in design as a culmination of all things cultural, or design as a moral force in the service of beauty and efficiency, this lovely book is indispensable. It will set every aesthetic synapse snapping and provide enough food for thought to nourish the reader for weeks, if not years.

The lunchbox, or makunouchi, is a closed, compartmented, lacquered or wooden box containing small, beautifully arranged foods. As the mouthwatering pictures in the book amply demonstrate, everything about the box and its contents is considered from the standpoint of visual pleasure. Ekuan gives the long history of the makunouchi as an everyday object, first introduced in the Edo period for a light meal eaten at the opera during intermission. He traces the evolution of the boxes' construction and analyzes the contents--tidbits "from mountain and sea." Variety is key, for ideally there is something--in the lunchbox and in this book--to satisfy every palate, aesthetic or otherwise.

Book Description

The Makunouchi Bento, or traditional Japanese lunchbox, is a highly lacquered wooden box divided into quadrants, each of which contains different delicacies. It is also one of the most familiar images of Japan's domestic environment. When presented to the diner, the Japanese lunchbox seems straightforward enough; each of four food portions resides in its own compartment, apparently obeying a strict lunchbox geometry. So far, just food. But Kenji Ekuan reveals that a much deeper reading is possible, one that sees the lunchbox as nothing less than a key to an understanding of Japanese civilization, the spirit of form, and the aesthetic ideal in which the many are reduced to one.

Ekuan reads the Japanese lunchbox as both object and metaphor. It is one of this book's many charms that he is able to see it as both simultaneously. He compares the visual pleasures of the Zen lunchbox to an aerial view of the Japanese archipelago; he invites us to savor its quadripartite structure as we savor the four seasons. In so doing, he unlocks the secrets of ancient Japanese rituals, celebrates the aesthetics of Japanese design, explores the contours of Japanese landscapes and technology, and delineates the forty-eight rules of the etiquette of Japanese form.

With an agility more characteristic of poetry than of design criticism, he connects everything from food, television, motorcycles, package tours, and department stores to landscape, ecology, computers, and radios, all the while keeping his eye on his subject. In this book of magical transformations, nothing is what it first appears, but everything is deepened by "lunchbox theory." Consider the influence of the lunchbox on TV viewing, for example: chopsticks are used to stroll through a meal, just as remote control devices are used to browse TV channels. This book reveals a world of secret connections between its covers, in the spirit of the lunchbox itself.

Customer Reviews:

Essays on the root of Japanese Aesthetic Thought.......2001-08-06

Kenji Ekuan's book suffers from a title which inadequately expresses its content. He uses a brief examination of the lunchbox--its contents, history, and organizing principles--to ask what the larger aesthetic principles are of a society which holds this item as an ideal. Among the topics he examines are art, urban planning, and (foremost) industrial design. Though many of his design examples are taken from the late 70s and early 80s, they reveal how little the guiding aesthetic principles have changed (indeed, when it comes to stereo design, today it's hard to imagine [or buy] a form not influenced by lunchbox stacking aesthetics.)

It is a difficult read, and I agree with a previous reviewer that a more light-hearted treatment of the lunchbox and food culture alone would be an excellent study. But that's not the intention of this book (though I have seen it shelved in the cooking section of some bookstores). What that reviewer considers a flaw--the 4x4 photographs in a 10x10 page--I view as an aesthetic judgement in line with the lunchbox principle of understatement. Witness the photos of single flower arrangment in the book (e.g., p. 174). A word of caution: I returned my paperback copy because the binding was flimsy and pages seemed ready to fall out within hours of buying it. I exchanged it for the hardcover and have had no problems, nor have I generally had a problem with MIT press books.

Contrived text, poor lay-out & printing, 2nd-rate photos.......1998-12-27

I bought this book expecting an insightful and perhaps somewhat light-hearted introduction into Japanese esthetics, imagnative photography and outstanding book design. What a disappointment! Here the venerable Japanese lunchbox becomes the universal principle, the general compass, the ultimate paradigm for EVERYTHING-not just food and its presentation and esthetics but also commerce and technology, society, life style, you name it. Needless to say much of this is pretty contrived; the book reads as if it had been authored for distribution by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Most of the photography is either amateurish or archival. The lay-out looks stingy (single photographs as small as 4 x 4 " on 10 x 10" pages). The white on black printing is about as crisp and clear as if the pages had been faxed a couple of times.

Average customer rating:

The aesthetics of the japanese lunchbox
Kenji Ekuan
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQAD16

Book Description

Trompe L'Oeil Interiors provides a hands-on approach to the tradition of using murals and painted illusions in interiors. For home decorators who want to create something unexpected or adventurous, this book gives clear, step-by-step instructions for carrying out a range of exciting trompe l'oeil projects in any room. Small stand-alone projects, such as marble blocks, vases, greenery and balustrades, serve as an introduction to the different elements of trompe l'oeil painting. More ambitious feature projects, such as a cloudy ceiling with greenery and birds, as well as a stone urn in a niche with a drape, demonstrate how basic techniques can be combined to create trompe l'oeil features with real impact. Inspirational photographs provide variations on each theme, encouraging readers to recombine the basic elements in their own way.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful for Beginners .......2005-12-15

I recommend this book to all beginners in mural painting. It touches on all aspects of the trade such as materials, perspective drawing, and trompe l'oeil techniques. There are several step-by-step projects included.

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Manufacturer: Sterling*+ Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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California Sights and Scenes of San Diego (California Sights and Scenes of)
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Manufacturer: Gulf Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Packed with vivid pictures, this gift book is the perfect I was there memento of this dazzling city overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

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Modern theory has greatly influenced our reading of the History of Economics. This third volume of Negishi's essays gathers together some of his most significant contributions to this subject, drawing as much from seminal works as from material now rarely obtainable. These essays reconsider economic thought in the light of modern theory, from Smith to Marx, and from Marshall to Keynes. Takashi Negishi discusses contributions made both in classical school and marginal revolution literature which are still significant to modern economic theory, and those heralding from Japan which have lacked exposure in the West. This volume will appeal not only to scholars in the history of economic thought, but more generally will interest those economists who are unsatisfied with the current state of economics.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Government Finance Review, published by Government Finance Officers Association on August 1, 1993. The length of the article is 2632 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: A review of the regulatory structure for the municipal bonds market is being proposed by the US Congress after recent reports on the possible influence exerted by certain groups on the selection process for underwriters of state and local government bonds. Several members of Congress have even gone so far as to propose changes in the regulatory structure. These proposals should be carefully studied before they are approved by the government.

Citation Details
Title: Federal regulation of the municipal bond market.
Author: Cathy Spain
Publication: Government Finance Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 1993
Publisher: Government Finance Officers Association
Volume: v9 Issue: n4 Page: p25(3)

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Local Government Finance and Bond Markets

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Manufacturer: Asian Development Bank
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

This collection of papers grew from a research study that indicated the need for public and private sector diversification in the wake of the most recent Asian financial crisis. In particular, the domestic capital market is emphasized as a fertile source of investment that has not been successfully utilized for development financing. The importance of domestic bond markets is stressed as one of the instruments that could help put resources to more productive use and become a viable alternative source of financing for development projects. Crucial information for mobilizing long-term private sources of financing at the local government level is also discussed.

New evaluation of the fiscal position and financial impact of state and local governments (Bond market research)

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New evaluation of the fiscal position and financial impact of state and local governments (Bond market research)
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Manufacturer: Salomon Brothers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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George Palumbo
Manufacturer: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Agriculture and Rural Economy Division
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B000718GXK

Book Description

This is a history of the Krupp family and the Krupp armanments factories, which, fueled by greed and slave labor, supplied Germany's war machine for centuries.

Customer Reviews:

disappointment.......2005-09-30

had really expected much more pictures or original drawings of the arms, 340pages proza, only 4 pages pictures ..
the history of the family is detailed but was not my expectation
hence other purchases proofed much better : Deutsche Eisenbahn-Geschütze ( author Taube )

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best book on telecommuting

The Only Guide You Will Need for Telecommuting

Hitting Home

The Power Telecommuter's How-To Manual

Excellent advice for the telecommuter.

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Manufacturer: Park Avenue Productions
ProductGroup: Book
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Book Description

This book “goes beyond the basics and…leaves no detail unmentioned when it comes to creating a successful telecommuting career,” says Gil Gordon, telecommuting pioneer and consultant, in this book's foreword.

Regular telecommuting is becoming a way of life for many employees. If you're not careful, however, telecommuting can leave you out of touch with your workplace and manager. This book recognizes telecommuting's pitfalls and shows you how to avoid them. It advocates that you become not just a good telecommuter, but a power telecommuter who accomplishes more, communicates better, and stays effective and visible when virtual.

Get expert guidance on all issues that telecommuters face. Here is a partial list of the many topics covered:
--Avoid the top 10 telecommuting traps
--Disarm telecommuting skeptics, including your boss and coworkers
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--10 time management tips you can use today
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“This book's strength is in the countless tips, tricks, warnings, suggestions, and shortcuts that collectively mean the difference between being a telecommuter and thriving as a telecommuter,” writes Gil Gordon in the foreword.

Telecommuting Success is ideal for those who are currently telecommuting--or would like to. It also helps managers see the telecommuting employee's point of view.

Customer Reviews:

best book on telecommuting.......2001-12-05

I recently reviewed a number of books on telecommuting and distance collaboration for a research center (...) and Dziak's book was the best I found on telecommuting.

While some other books dwell too much on details of home office setup (which this book does cover thoroughly in ch 4) Dziak is by far the most insightful about the real challenges of telecommuting, which are social issues of staying in touch. The book gives prescriptive advice in easily-digestable forms. Dziak is quite fond of top-10 lists, but manages to pack a lot of good content into this somewhat gimmicky format. My most-reference part of the book was his '10 Ways to stay on the corporate radar screen' (p. 181).

The Only Guide You Will Need for Telecommuting.......2001-08-16

Michael Dziak's book is very thorough, and is a comprehensive guide on telecommuting. The check lists, forms, and practical tips are very usefull. This book offers so much for anyone operating a home office, it is a good investment even if they don't telecommute. I agree with other reviewers this is the desk companion or bible for telecommuters. I highly recommend it.

Hitting Home.......2001-06-19

This is a good book. The design is very approachable, and the writing is quite readable - especially in an age when people would *like* to explore telework, but don't quite know where to begin. From Telework 101 to senior-exec-level concepts, it explains much of what today's teleworker - and even the at-home entrepreneur - needs to launch a fully-functional home office, without losing touch or professional stature with the corporate community.

The Power Telecommuter's How-To Manual.......2001-06-04

This book is a "must-read" for all potential, as well as current, teleworkers. It is packed full of tips and techniques for both the telecommuter and his/her employer. From setting up your home office to communicating with others, this book covers it all. I will keep this as a ready-reference. I recommend that all "driven knowledge workers" do the same.

Excellent advice for the telecommuter........2001-05-09

Telecommuting Success is a great tool for the telecommuter. It is very easy to read and understand and gives tips that will help ensure that if you become a telecommuter you will be allowed to stay one. It shows you how to be successful and get the recognition for your work that you deserve, even if you are out of the office a good portion of the time. This is key to a successful teleworking relationship.

I highly recommend this book for any business that has or is implementing a telework program and would make it required reading for all teleworkers in that program.

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