Exploring Japanese Design

This free textbook is based on notes from a previous course of mine called “Design and Society”, which was then updated for a new “Liberal Arts Experience” course on Japanese design, taught in the College of Global Liberal Arts at Ritsumeikan University. Unimaginatively, the new course is called “Exploring Japanese Design”, and, for now, so is the book. The notes have been transformed into chapters at various times throughout 2025-2026, so some chapters may feel a little different to others. I hope people find them useful. The first half introduces key concepts in Japanese aesthetics and examines the Mingei movement alongside traditional arts and crafts, including pottery, textiles, calligraphy, sumi ink painting, and woodblock printing. The second half explores modern and contemporary design in Japan, focusing on graphic design, environmental design (architecture), and product design. For now, there are no introduction on conclusion chapters, but I may write these in the future if I feel there is a need for them. Chapters 1. Aesthetics in Japan 2. The Mingei Movement 3. Pottery and Textiles 4. Ink Brushes, Seals, and Printmaking 5. Graphic Design 6. Environmental Design 7. Product Design