Authored Books
I’m more interested in what than how, and more interested in why than what. The most successful creators are always learning, and always dipping back into their original motivations. These books follow those return paths, with the goal of revealing the passionate, relatable individual behind the celebrated master.
-
![Japanese working for A Better World]()
Japanese working for A Better World
A "map" of the Japanese citizens' movement, including excerpts from interviews with leaders, specific requests to readers and an access guide categorized by issue. Produced by the publisher to give away to attendants of the "Earth Summit" of 1992 (UN Conference on Environment and Development). I was approached by the publisher to conceptualize and write this book. All interviews were conducted by me.
1992, Honnoki, Ltd. (Tokyo)
Read Kyoto Journal Review (#24, 1993)
See PDF -
![Y.M.D. Ancient Arts, Contemporary Designs]()
Y.M.D. Ancient Arts, Contemporary Designs
The story of a design-through-sales project of the early 1990s, in which designer Takenobu Igarashi and Teruo Yamada, president of Yamada Lighting, combined visions and forces to modernize designs of traditional local crafts industries and bring them to market.
1993, Robundo Publishing (Tokyo)
See PDF -
![12 Japanese Masters (cover)]()
12 Japanese Masters
A compilation of profiles of the most important postwar Japanese designers, based on in-person interviews. Profiles are prefaced by an essay explaining the historical context of the rise of design as a guiding industry in Japan's reconstruction and rise following World War II. Cover design by Ikko Tanaka, advice by Takenobu Igarashi.
2003, Graphis, Inc. (New York)
View flip-through short film on Qompendium
Purchase from Graphis
See PDF -
![Kisho Kurokawa Architect and Associates: The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum]()
Three Buildings by Kisho Kurokawa
A multi-volume study of three important late-career buildings of the architect Kisho Kurokawa, who is best known for the Nakagin Capsule Tower. The three volumes cover The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, The Toyota City Stadium and Oita Stadium.
2003, Edizioni Press (New York)
See PDF -
![Cover, John Ciardullo Associates: Architecture and Society]()
John Ciardullo Associates: Architecture and Society
A retrospective of the most important humanistic buildings by architect John Ciardullo, who began his career in the 1960s with thoughtful designs for multi-family urban housing. Based on in-person interviews.
2004, Edizioni Press (New York)
See PDF -
![Matchibako: Japanese Matchbox Art of the 20s & 30s]()
Matchibako: Japanese Matchbox Art of the 20s and 30s
An accordion-fold book created after a chance encounter with Japanese matchboxes and their role as advertising and propaganda for a materialistic, modern, Westernizing Japan. 64 pages. Design by Nicole Recchia.
2004, Mark Batty Publishers (New York)
See PDF -
![Cover: Spiritual Passports/Passaportes Espirituales]()
Spiritual Passports/Passaportes Espirituales
The eerie and inspiring tale of an amateur photographer who took a trip to Peru, and perished suddenly. Her heartbroken, widowed partner returned home to the US with her ashes and her negatives. The images she created were beyond anything she had ever made before. With poetry by Pablo Neruda and translation by Tina Escaja and Regina Fuentes.
2009, University of Arizona Press (Tucson)
See PDF
