The Popular Arts of Mexico

By Kojin Toneyama

225 pp., 306 illustrations in color. Foreword and notes on modern Mexican folk crafts by Carlos Espejel, Director, Museo Nacional de Artes e Industrias Populares, Mexico City. Tan cloth with gilt... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0834810301
• ISBN13: 9780834810303
• Release Date: January 1974
• Publisher: Weatherill/Heibonsha
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 5.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 10.5" x 14.4"

Customer Reviews

traditional arts and crafts

Published in 1974, this massive book, which is so heavy it takes a bit of muscle to lift, is divided into geographical zones, and the first section is devoted to "Notes from the Author's Journal", which are detailed essays of his journeys through Mexico.Kojin Toseyama began his career as an artist, and throughout the book, there are watercolor sketches that capture a lot of the atmosphere of his travels. I especially like the Dia de los Muertos skeletons, which are very humorous.The bulk of the book consists of color plates of the arts and crafts, and some of the regional areas depicted are: Nayarit: Textiles, gourds, beadwork; Guerrero: Masks, silver, pottery; Jalisco: Pottery figurines of people and animals, of the kind that are popular north of the border, of charming little birds, etc.; Michoacan: Wooden figurines, copper and brass; Mexico City: Papier-maché, baskets, ceramics; Oaxaca: The black pottery Oaxaca is famous for, and their fanciful wooden animals, as well as tin work.This book was originally published in Japan, and has been translated very well by Richard L. Gage. The paper is thick, and with a matte finish. Though there are books on this subject that are more eye-catching on the market, those who have a keen interest the marvelous arts and crafts of Mexico will appreciate it.