Target New ArrivalsGift Ideas for DadClothing, Shoes & AccessoriesHome & DecorKitchen & DiningOutdoor Living & GardenGroceryHousehold EssentialsBabyBeautyPersonal CareSports & OutdoorsHealthWellnessLuggageSchool & Office SuppliesToysElectronicsVideo GamesMovies, Music & BooksParty SuppliesGift IdeasGift CardsPetsUlta Beauty at TargetShop by CommunityTarget OpticalDealsClearanceNew ArrivalsGift Ideas for DadBack to SchoolCollegeTop DealsTarget Circle DealsWeekly AdShop Order PickupShop Same Day DeliveryRegistryRedCardTarget CircleFind Stores
The Beauty of Everyday Things - by Soetsu Yanagi (Paperback) - 1 of 1

The Beauty of Everyday Things - by Soetsu Yanagi (Paperback)

$13.76Save $3.24 (19% off)

In Stock

Free & easy returns

Free & easy returns

Return this item by mail or in store within 90 days for a full refund.
Eligible for registries and wish lists

Save 5% every day

With Target Circle™ Card

About this item

Highlights

  • The Japanese philosopher and aesthete's definitive, hugely influential exposition of his philosophy of folkcrafts, setting out the hallmarks of Japanese design as we know it today: anonymity, quality, simplicity and honesty--and, of course, wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection A Penguin Classic Our lives are filled with objects.
  • About the Author: Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961) was a philosopher, art historian, aesthete and poet.
  • 352 Pages
  • Art, History & Criticism

Description



About the Book



Long revered as the authority on craftsmanship and Japanese aesthetics, Yanagi devoted his life and writing to defend the value of craft. In an age of feeble and ugly machine-made things, The Beauty of Everyday Things is a call to deepen relationships with the objects that surround people.



Book Synopsis



The Japanese philosopher and aesthete's definitive, hugely influential exposition of his philosophy of folkcrafts, setting out the hallmarks of Japanese design as we know it today: anonymity, quality, simplicity and honesty--and, of course, wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection

A Penguin Classic

Our lives are filled with objects. Everyday things used in everyday settings, they are our constant companions. As such, writes Soetsu Yanagi, they should be made with care and built to last, treated with respect and even affection. They should be natural and simple, sturdy and safe--an aesthetic fulfillment of our practical needs. They should, in short, be things of beauty.

Long revered as the authority on craftsmanship and Japanese aesthetics, Yanagi devoted his life and writing to defend the value of craft. In an age of feeble and ugly machine-made things, The Beauty of Everyday Things is a call for each of us to deepen our relationship with the objects that surround us. Inspired by the work of the simple artisans Yanagi encountered on his lifelong travels through Japan and Korea, this now-classic book is a heartfelt defence of modest, honest, handcrafted objects, from traditional teacups to jars to paper--objects that exemplify the beauty of everyday things.



Review Quotes




"Yanagi's work is characterized by pure, organic form, an economy of means and material, and an emphasis on beauty in even the most functional and quotidian objects. Over time the designer's work has become, well, timeless." --T: The New York Times Style Magazine

"Radical and inspiring . . . Yanagi's vision puts the connection between heart and hand before the transient and commercial." --Edmund de Waal, OBE, author of The Hare with Amber Eyes

"Soetsu Yanagi's unerring eye has influenced generations of makers. His notion of Zen and the art of design continues to inspire all those involved in shaping our everyday world." --Jasper Morrison, British designer

"It would not be entirely amiss to describe Yanagi's position in Japan as comparable to that of Ruskin and Morris in England. . . . He left as a legacy an aesthetic and religious creed of vital importance to men and women all over the world." --Bernard Leach, British potter

"What impresses me most in Yanagi is the strength of his vision, his direct eye for beauty. His was an immediate and intuitive faculty of an extraordinary kind." --Shoji Hamada, Japanese potter



About the Author



Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961) was a philosopher, art historian, aesthete and poet. He evolved a theory of why certain objects made by unknown craftsmen were so beautiful, and became the founding father of the Japanese folk crafts ("mingei") movement. He helped establish, and was the first director of, the Japanese Folk Crafts Museum.
Dimensions (Overall): 7.0 Inches (H) x 4.3 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: .55 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 352
Genre: Art
Sub-Genre: History & Criticism
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Format: Paperback
Author: Soetsu Yanagi
Language: English
Street Date: October 8, 2019
TCIN: 76546456
UPC: 9780241366356
Item Number (DPCI): 248-73-3654
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
If the item details aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 4.3 inches width x 7 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.55 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii

Return details

This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, delivered to the guest, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or picked up by the guest.
See the return policy for complete information.

Q: What philosophical ideas does Yanagi explore in the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago

  • A: Yanagi explores concepts of folkcrafts, focusing on qualities like simplicity, honesty, and the beauty of imperfection, known as wabi-sabi.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago
    Ai generated

Q: What type of objects does Yanagi discuss in his book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago

  • A: He discusses a variety of handcrafted items, including traditional teacups, jars, and paper, emphasizing their beauty and functionality.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago
    Ai generated

Q: What is the main message of The Beauty of Everyday Things?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago

  • A: The book encourages readers to form deeper connections with everyday objects, valuing craftsmanship over mass-produced items.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago
    Ai generated

Q: What impact has Yanagi's work had on designers?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago

  • A: Yanagi's vision has inspired generations of designers, influencing the relationship between aesthetics and functionality in everyday objects.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago
    Ai generated

Q: Who is the author of this book and what is his background?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago

  • A: Soetsu Yanagi was a philosopher, art historian, and poet, known for advocating the value of craftsmanship in Japanese culture.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 2 months ago
    Ai generated
See all questions (5)

Additional product information and recommendations

Discover more options

Frequently bought together

Guests also viewed

Get top deals, latest trends, and more.

Privacy policy