Design Products Exhibition Nippon (Signed)

The official catalog for the exhibition "Design Bussanten Nippon" (Design Products Exhibition Nippon), which introduced craftsmanship from all 47 Japanese prefectures through the lens of design. Organized by the Japan Design Committee and planned and structured by Kenmei Nagaoka, it was published to coincide with the exhibition held at Matsuya Ginza in 2008.

For this exhibition, 235 examples of products and design-related items were selected, with five items chosen from each prefecture. The exhibition showcased the relationship between local climate, lifestyle, culture, industry, and design through five perspectives: "long-standing items," "tradition infused with design," "food and beverages," "local cultural facilities and new initiatives," and "local media."

This book features local products from across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, presented through photographs and commentary. From traditional crafts to contemporary products, foods, and town magazines, it captures the history, culture, and distribution systems of each region through craftsmanship rooted in daily life.

In addition to an introduction by Kenmei Nagaoka, the book includes contributions from Japan Design Committee members Motomi Kawakami, Kenya Hara, Makoto Koizumi, and Makoto Umehara, who share their perspectives on the inheritance of local industries and the role of place-based design. The end of the book also includes a guide connecting the travel experiences of the 47 prefectures with design.

This volume examines the relationship between design and local culture through products from across Japan. It also serves as a documentary record of trends in regional design, local industry, and craftsmanship in 2000s Japan. Signed on the front endpaper.

[Title] DESIGN BUSSAN NIPPON
[Publisher] Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha
[Publication Date] September 10, 2008 (First Edition)
[Pages] 328 pages
[Size] Approx. 167*211*20mm / 586g
[Format] Softcover
[Language] Japanese
[Title Reading] Design Bussanten Nippon
[Author/Editor, etc.] Kenmei Nagaoka (Planning, structure, text, and design), Japan Design Committee (Production), Motomi Kawakami (Text), Kenya Hara (Text), Makoto Koizumi (Text), Makoto Umehara (Text), Satoshi Fujimoto (Text)
[Printing/Binding] Koni (Printing and binding)
[ISBN] 978-4-568-50366-1
[Condition] Used [5] Average (light yellowing on edges, signed on front endpaper)
[Accessories] -
[Included in] -
[Related Exhibition] Design Bussanten Nippon (Matsuya Ginza 8th Floor Event Hall, August 27–September 1, 2008)

Kenmei Nagaoka (1965–)

Born in Hokkaido in 1965. Designer and design activist. He focuses on long-lasting products found across Japan and craftsmanship rooted in local regions, developing activities that connect design with distribution.

In 2000, he established the D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT in Tokyo. Rather than just creating new products, he proposed a system for re-evaluating and continuously selling existing high-quality designs.

In 2008, in collaboration with the Japan Design Committee, he organized the exhibition "Design Bussanten Nippon" at Matsuya Ginza. By introducing products from 47 prefectures through five different viewpoints, he presented the relationship between regional identity and design.

That same year, he launched "d design travel," a travel guide project that introduces the design of each region from a tourism perspective. Through publishing, store operations, exhibitions, and product development, he continues to introduce design rooted in local communities.

< Related Figures >

Kenmei Nagaoka
Kenya Hara
Makoto Koizumi
Makoto Umehara
Satoshi Fujimoto
Japan Design Committee
D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT
Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha