Synopses & Reviews
Japanese kanji characters combine meaning with beauty and thus offer a unique medium for artistic expression. But if you don’t know the language, how do you find characters that say what you want and are not just a "kanji cliché"? You can start here. This attractive book has over one hundred thirty kanji presented in a simple format for easy use. For example:
Post the kanji for kenshin on a mirror to remind you of your "devotion" to your studies.
Embroider bussho on a meditation cushion to help you reflect on "Buddha nature."
Tattoo the name Zatoichi on your upper arm as homage to your favorite blind swordsman hero.
Show your "love" with a card decorated by ai.
Pick from Warrior, Heart, Nature, and Spirit categories to find the characters that express your sentiments best. Each entry includes historical or etymological background, often with unusual "kanji facts." Then trace, photocopy, or even stencil the clear letterforms—displayed in several different kanji "fonts"—to get just the effect you want. Included is an introduction to kanji, writing tips, and a special supplement on Zodiac kanji (great for birthdays!).
"People are always fascinated by different cultures, and we continue to be awed by the wonderful ways in which East and West have mingled in culture, lifestyle, design, art, and aesthetics. We hope this book will enrich your own experience of kanji in art and design and help you bring your creative gifts to bear in fresh, new ways."—from the Authors’ Introduction
Shogo Oketani and Leza Lowitz are writers and translators who live in the San Francisco Bay area.
Review
"This book is nicely designed, fun and easy to use, and totally cool!"-- Protoculture Addicts
Review
The book's beautiful illustrations clearly show the differences in styles in order to capture the essence of cute or cool, eye-catching or inspiring, to help you attain just the feel you're looking for. This is the perfect gift for people who have interest in Japanese culture.
HonyakuTalk/Pacific Dreams, January 2004 - No. 20
Review
Designing with Kanji is an ode to the Eastern typographic element, a clip-art book and a short but focused history of the Japanese language itself. Tattoo artists, designers and those in need of selected spiritual ideogramswill enjoy this book.
Northwest Asian Weekly, December 27, 2003
Review
"My first reaction was skepticism. A whole book of Japanese character motifs didn't seem terribly useful. But as I spent time reading the book, I realized that there is much to learn and much to use and enjoy in these pages. Suddenly, I could see options for brushwork, stencils and paint, rubber stamping, torn paper, and more."-- PaperWorks Magazine
Synopsis
Japanese kanji characters combine meaning with beauty and thus offer a unique medium for artistic expression. But if you don’t know the language, how do you find characters that say what you want and are not just a "kanji cliché"? You can start here. This attractive book has over one hundred thirty kanji presented in a simple format for easy use. For example:
Post the kanji for kenshin on a mirror to remind you of your "devotion" to your studies.
Embroider bussho on a meditation cushion to help you reflect on "Buddha nature."
Tattoo the name Zatoichi on your upper arm as homage to your favorite blind swordsman hero.
Show your "love" with a card decorated by ai.
Pick from Warrior, Heart, Nature, and Spirit categories to find the characters that express your sentiments best. Each entry includes historical or etymological background, often with unusual "kanji facts." Then trace, photocopy, or even stencil the clear letterforms—displayed in several different kanji "fonts"—to get just the effect you want. Included is an introduction to kanji, writing tips, and a special supplement on Zodiac kanji (great for birthdays!).
"People are always fascinated by different cultures, and we continue to be awed by the wonderful ways in which East and West have mingled in culture, lifestyle, design, art, and aesthetics. We hope this book will enrich your own experience of kanji in art and design and help you bring your creative gifts to bear in fresh, new ways."—from the Authors’ Introduction
Shogo Oketani and Leza Lowitz are writers and translators who live in the San Francisco Bay area.
Synopsis
Japanese words in a fun resource for designers, artists, and tattooers.
About the Author
Shogo Oketani graduated from Keio University with a degree in Philosophy and Literature, and worked 12 years as a journalist in Tokyo before moving to Northern California. Leza Lowitz is an award-winning writer, editor, translator, and popular yoga teacher in Northern California. Lowitz lived in Japan for five years and currently writes book reviews for KQED Radio's "Pacific Time"and The Japan Times and is Reviews Editor to Manoa Journal.