NUNO: Visionary Japanese Textiles

This appropriately fabric-bound work begins with an extensive introductory essay by US-born, Japan-based architect Naomi Pollock on Japanese textile and craft culture, as well as NUNO Corporation and its ‘unfettered creativity' in the field, led by Reiko Sudo. Eight chapters are titled for wonderfully expressive Japanese onomatopoeia, where, for example, fuwa fuwa evokes the feel of fluffy cotton. Each one begins with a brief explanation of the expression, which gives way to an essay — here by Haruki Murakami, there by Kenya Hara — connected in some way to the theme. Examples of NUNO creations are shown and their production explained, before being given a more detailed ‘portrait' by Sudo herself.

Part homage to a country, part textile lesson, part whimsy to be enjoyed on a lazy afternoon, NUNO is a beautifully produced work that will entice the textile aficionado or the Japanophile in all of us.