Japanese Crest Designs

Size: 6” x 9” - Pages: 400 - Published: 2005 - Price: $60 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great new book out by the same people who did the Kingyo (Japanese Goldfish) and Niwatori (Japanese Rooster) books. It is a complete reference guide to Japanese family crests including hundreds of examples and photographs of how they are used in daily life here (in kimono, artwork, laterns, noren, food, ceremonies etc.). The photographs are compelling and really bring meaning to the crests themselves. Incredibly well done. It is 400 pages....a total monster! There is an introduction in English but the remaining text is in Japanese and minimal.

Family Crests of Japan

Size: 8” x 8.5” - Pages: 154 - Published: 2001 - Price: $45 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great book for people wanting to know background information on Japanese family crests. The seals make great single image tattoos and come with an explanation in English for what the symbols means in Japan and to the family that adopted it to represent them. Also a good resource book for symbols in art and history. Again the text is in English making this an excellent resource book.

Edo Shirushi Banten

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 255 - Published: 2006 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great compilation of photos of Shirushi Banten - the short coats used in the Edo period that originated with the Iroha 48 firebrigades organized in 1718. The coats were dyed with a design that identified their brigade and position. Now they are worn at festivals and different neighborhood throughout Japan still have a unique design. The book includes photos of these festivals, coat designs and patterns, a few ukiyo-e/woodblocks featuring firefighters, and a lot of images of the different graphics on the back of the coats. These graphics are great for tattoo design.

Japanese Family Crest Designs

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 318 - Published: 2004 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is a great little collection of family crests done by the same people who did the KIMONO PATTERN DESIGN BOOK SERIES. This book consists of page after page of monochrome images of family crests and symbols. 15 images to a page make this collection a treasure. Definitely a must have for those interested in traditional Japanese art and design....text in Japanese.

Traditional Designs of Nippon

click for sample pages....

Size: 4” x 6” - Pages: 382 - Published: 2009 - Price: $25 - Binding: Softcover

This is a prolific book of thumbnail sketches of items from Edo period Japan. It features kimono, helmets, masks, musical instruments, weapons, Tori Gates, wells, gravestones, castles, Buddhist deities, sandals, hairstyles, flags, furniture, lanterns, dolls. boats. toys, fans....the list is extensive. This book is a must have for anyone creating Japanese imagery. The attention to fine details add authenticity to a composition and this book provides the necessary sketches to help craft a Edo period setting.