BLUE AND WHITE JAPAN

From Finland to Guatemala blue and white is a classic color combination. But nowhere is this design element more a part of the interior landscape and culture than in Japan, where blue and white appear together in fine porcelains and on tiles, in textiles, kitchenware, futon coverings and kimonos. In this delightful, popular book, available in hardcover since 1996, Amy Sylvester Katoh and photographer Yutaka Satoh blend photograph and essay to explore the mix of functionality and beauty that is at the heart of Japanese style. They offer a rich array of great design ideas-from soba cups to sinks-in blue and white. Along the way, you''ll meet Japanese indigo textile craftsmen and learn about such indigo techniques as katzome, stencil dyeing, and shibori, a delicate, sophisticated form of tie-dyeing in indigo. From hats to vases, floor cushions to tea settings, Blue and White Japan is a fascinating, inspiring look at this classic design.