Shosa. Meditations in Japanese handwork

12 BEAUTIFUL, MINDFULLY CREATED IN-DEPTH
PORTRAITS OF JAPANESE MAKERS IN WORDS AND
PHOTOS, INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT
DIFFERENT REGIONS TO VISIT IN JAPAN

The Japanese concept 'Shosa' is hard to translate: it's about the beauty that lies in the repetition of actions and movements, striving for perfection and efficiency in their execution. You can find it in the rituals of a Japanese tea ceremony, but also in the repetition of cleaning actions (like in the movie Perfect Days) or in the skilful actions of craftsmen and -women.
This book portrays 12 Japanese makers from different regions. From a bamboo weaver to a tatami mats maker, from a ceramist to a cook who specialises in puddings. Writer Ringo Gomez-Jorge and photographer Rob Walbers went to visit these makers in their studios and created profound portraits in words and images. Because the craftsmen and -women often rely on locally sourced materials, the stories in this book also cover the surroundings. The aim isn't to provide tourist guide-like information, but to share a taste of various regions in Japan, so this book can also serve as a source of inspiration when you're planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.