Mark Batty Publisher announces the latest additions to its ever-growing collection of unique books about Japanese subcultures. Japan's visual history is one of unparalleled beauty and design, which today inspires a stunning and surprising array of subcultures, ranging from matchbook art, bento boxes, graffiti, colorful manhole covers and 3D mascots.
Drainspotting: Japanese Manhole Covers
The first book to document this distinctive aspect of contemporary Japanese visual culture, Drainspotting showcases vibrant photographs of Japan's city-sanctioned manhole covers, or manhoru. Today, nearly 95% of the 1,780 municipalities in Japan sport their very own customized manhole covers, with imagery that evokes each region's cultural identity, from flora and fauna to landmarks and local festivals.
As a testament to the Japanese aesthetic sensibility in all aspects of life, these pieces of urban art are colorful, intricately designed, and unique to their locale - from Kanto to Chubu to Disneyland Japan.
"This innovative method of brightening up a locality and cheering up its citizens proves how public art can impact everyday life, no matter what form it takes," says author Remo Camerota. "And the humble manhole cover is no exception."
Idle Idol: The Japanese Mascot
Whether plastic or fiberglass figures modeled after celebrities, deities, animals, corporate logos, or good luck charms, Japan teems with 3D mascots that are used to attract attention and sell products. In Idle Idol, discover antique advertising characters, modern mass-produced mascots and unique one-off designs, with photographs and stories by brothers Edward and John Harrison.
Idle Idol presents these quirky and cute figures in all of their plastic glory, divided into thematic chapters: Hero, Legend, Spokesperson, TV Star, Entertainer, Chef, Doctor, Meeter and Greeter. Ranging from Japanese myths to corporate identities and sporting fan fanaticism, each idol's story is unique: from Totoro and Pipo-Kun, to Ultraman and the ever-popular Doraemon, Hello Kitty and Astro Boy.
Keep up with the authors at their official companion website: IdleIdol.net
Other MBP titles sure to appeal to the Japanophile include: Vending Machines: Coined Consumerism; Face Food Recipes and Face Food: The Visual Creativity of Japanese Bento Boxes; Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo; Graffiti Japan and Matchibako: Japanese Matchbox Art of the 20s and 30s; as well as the forthcoming Menko, Fuzz and Fur, and Kicks Japan.
