A glimpse into the markets, crafts, and signage of early modern
Japan Kanban are the traditional signs Japanese merchants displayed
on the street to advertise their presence, represent the products
and services to be found inside their shops, and lend a sense of
individuality to the shops themselves. Created from wood, bamboo,
iron, paper, fabric, gold leaf, and lacquer, these unique objects
evoke the frenetic market scenes of nineteenth- and
twentieth-century Japan, where merchants created a multifaceted
world of symbol and meaning designed to engage the viewer and
entice the customer. Kanban provides a tantalizing look at this
distinctive fusion of art and commerce. This beautifully
illustrated book traces the history of shop signs in Japan,
examines how they were created, and explores some of the businesses
and trades they advertised. Some kanban are elongated panels of
lacquered wood painted with elegant calligraphy and striking
images, while others are ornately carved representative sculptures
of munificent deities or carp climbing waterfalls. There are
oversized functional Buddhist prayer beads, and everyday objects
such as tobacco pipes, shoes, combs, and writing brushes. The book
also includes archival photographs of market life in "old Japan,"
woodblock prints of bustling marketplaces, and images of the goods
advertised with these intricate and beguiling objects. Providing a
look into a unique, handmade world, Kanban offers new insights into
Japan's commercial and artistic roots, the evolution of trade, the
links between commerce and entertainment, and the emergence of mass
consumer culture. Exhibition schedule: Mingei International Museum,
San Diego April 15-October 15, 2017
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