If you have ever admired a Nantucket basket and wondered where that shape came from, this book gives you the whole story — the island, the whaling ships, the lightships anchored offshore, and the craftspeople who still weave these baskets today. Written in Japanese with full English translation throughout, it reads as easily for an English-speaking collector as it does for a Japanese maker.
Etsuko Yashiro, the only Japanese artisan recognized as a Nantucket basket maker on the island itself, guides you through the origins of the craft and its development from working sailors' baskets into the Friendship Basket and the refined pieces prized today. A basket encyclopedia section breaks down the anatomy of a Nantucket basket, its individual components, the accessories made in the Nantucket style, and how the baskets are used at home. Profiles of artisans including Alan S. W. Reed, Nap Plank, Karol Lindquist, Michael Kane and others introduce the people behind the work.
The book is built to be looked at as much as read. Hitoshi Okutani's photography carries the atmosphere of the island — the port, the sea, the light — while Mai Takewaki's illustrations give the pages a picture-book warmth across 80 pages. There are also sections on the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum and on basket-weaving classes.
Published by K&M Planning Office. A good choice for basket weavers, collectors of American folk craft, and anyone drawn to Nantucket Island.
You may also like
More Japanese books in Textiles and Photographs
Shipping
Ships from Japan with tracking. Please check estimated delivery date before purchasing. We ship only to your eBay verified address.
Returns
30-day returns accepted. Items must be unopened and unused. Return shipping is buyer's responsibility. Please contact us before returning.
Import Duties & Taxes
Import duties, taxes, and customs charges are not included in the item price or shipping fee. These are the buyer's responsibility. We do not mark items below value or as gifts.