White

Absolutely great book, and beautiful edition! If you‘re into design and philosophy, the concept of emptiness in Japanese culture will blow your mind.

This is (if one opens ones mind) one of the most riveting and source finding books on Zen.

I recommend an excellent book. An everyday observation with reflections on Japanese aesthetics and sensitive. The book explores the correlation between whiteness and pureness.

After I finished this book I jumped in to Tanizaki's 'In Praise of Shadows' - also about Japanese aesthetics. I have to say, Tanizaki is a way better writer - at times 'White' reads a bit like a high school essay. The book also has some fallacies and at times ignores scientific thinking, where it could actually put it to good use. Maybe it's the subtleties of Japanese reasoning that escape me. There was one element of this book however, that I found priceless and that makes this book a solid 4 stars instead of 2 or 3 for me. If you've read greek Sophists or 'The Art of Zen and Motorcycle Maintenance' by Robert Pirsig, you'll appreciate the moment where Kenya successfully likens White to Quality or areté. This alone helped greatly in translating what I learned from 'The Art of Zen...' directly to design and made the book well worth reading. If you don't tend to read 'these books' however, I wouldn't suggest starting with 'White'. It may seem tedious and unrewarding.

Brilliantly written book about the simple and minimalistic Japanese ethos, no matter to whether it's related to the design of a product or in day-to-day activities, the author manages to find a correlation between "White" and how this principle of "Pureness" is present amongst these.

I regretted getting this book, I was hoping it contained concepts and background of simple/Japanese design from the art director however instead it was more about “artsy poetic thoughts”.

It wasn’t what I was hoping for

Shiro by Kenya Hara is a masterpiece. It’s not often that I come by a book that is so true to its core ethos in both form and message. From the textured white in the title, the pure white on the first page and the printed white within the pages; Hara has put an amazing amount of meticulous detail into making the act of reading his book such a physically and mentally enjoyable experience. He has, in his own words, mastered the art of “controlling differences” at its most visceral form. Aside from strictly the architecture of his work, Hara does a great job of explaining what makes “white” so amazing- particularly to designers. The creative individual, Hara argues, looks at the empty bowl as a powerful thing. Rather than having no use, it is great in its potential to be filled with something. White represents this potential power found in emptiness that designers need to understand and appreciate in order to use to its fullest magnitude. Throughout the book, Hara often makes comparisons to Japanese culture and mythology which adds even deeper layers to the story of white. Coming out the end of it, I can’t see white- or emptiness- in the same way I did before. And for that, this is easily a 12/10.

Per chiunque voglia capire qualcosa del design giapponese, della concezione del vuoto e per chi vuole uscire dai soliti schemi della cultura occidentali e immergersi in un mondo di eleganza e leggerezza.

the content and the design of the book is just awesome. no need to say it. I'm happy with my purchase its on time and good quality.

I am a visual artist and found this book to be a fascinating read.

Kenya Hara is my favorite designer, his books helped and taught me a lot