The incredible splendors of some of the worlds' most recognized architectural feats are brought to life within the pages of Origami Architecture. With this book, some card stock paper, and a hobby knife, anyone can build spectacular re-creation's of the most famous buildings in the world. It gives instructions and templates for 16 buildings, including the Parthenon, the White House, the Eiffel Tower, the Chrysler building, and the Forbidden City. There are over 900 photographs detailing the cutting and assembling of the pieces, most without using glue or tape. Once the structure is attached to the base not only will does it look amazing, but it can be folded up and taken anywhere. For the would-be architect, the papercraft hobbyist, or a model builder, Origami Architecture will provide hours of activity with impressive results.

In today's busy world, the lives of ancient tea masters, living in mountainside huts and picking tea leaves fresh off wild plants, may seem so inapplicable to our hectic lives as to be for our purposes mere myths. The Way of Tea shows modern readers how you can bring this serenity to your daily life. You don't need a mountainside hut or hours for endless contemplation; just a few quiet moments with a steaming cup of your favourite tea. Aaron Fisher, noted tea expert and author, shows readers how in the modern world the way of tea does not need to be some sombre religious ceremony held in dimly lit halls by a bunch of solemn monks chanting between sips, but can instead be a path for anyone to experience and share inner peace, relax the ego, and be free and open-an excellent recipe for a life well lived.

In this book, designer Stephen Skinner discusses various common themes of feng shui — such as water, alignments, mountains, and wind, — and demonstrates these concepts in 26 houses, restaurants and galleries in London, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The selection is highly varied, and includes famous interiors such as designer Kelly Hoppen's home and the Bam Bou restaurant in London; a Chinese mansion on Victoria Peak in Hong Kong; the Tamarind Hills Thai restaurant in Kuala Lumpur and the Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, Malaysia.

Against a background of historical, cultural and social change comes Chinese Dress, a comprehensive and sumptuously illustrated book examining the extraordinary range of Chinese dress. Skillfully weaving together everything from court and formal costumes through to the working attire of the lower classes and the latest fashions of New China, Chinese Dress tells the story of the evolution of Chinese clothing. The first section details attire worn during the Qing dynasty by the emperors and their consorts, as well as the mandarins, merchants, and their womenfolk, both Manchu and Chinese. The following sections pay particular attention to the dramatic changes in clothing that took place in China from the Republican period, including rural dress and children's wear, through to dress in New China from 1949 to the present day. An engaging and original text, Chinese Dress is the essential reference for costume historians, fashion designers and collectors, as well as lovers of beautiful clothes everywhere.

Eclectic, baroque and sophisticated such are the characteristics of the lifestyle resorts and extravagant private residences crafted by the renowned Bensley Design Studios in Bangkok and Bali. The 27 resorts and homes featured in Paradise by Design are set amidst resplendent tropical gardens and spread from China to India to Bali. Focused in Asia Pacific, these buildings are unconventional, sensual and hold a special reverence for the tropical climate. Focusing not only on the architecture of the buildings, but also the landscape design, interior design, horticulture and fine arts and crafts found within and without these buildings, Paradise by Design transcends the traditional and details an inclusive look at some of the most stylish and diverse homes and resorts in Asia.

Weapons, particularly bladed ones such as swords, are enjoying a renaissance of interest from every source, from collectors to laypeople. The samurai, a glorified figure in Japan and the West, employed a variety of weapons, not least of which was the sword. Samurai Weapons details how and why their arsenal included not only the sword of popular lore, but also a variety of other tools, including concealed weapons, improvised fighting tools, fans, truncheons and pole arms. The author succinctly describes the society of Japan, how and why the samurai class arose, and the place that samurai held in that society through the centuries, focusing in particular on the various weaponry, how these weapons were used and why. In addition, Samurai Weapons highlights the influence these weapons and fighting styles had on many different schools of Japanese martial arts.

Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, whether your stay will be long or short, your visit to China will be more pleasurable and effective if you understand your host culture and how to work within it. Etiquette Guide to China is a vital guide for visitors to the world's newest financial superpower. Learn the essentials of interacting, such as how to address people you meet, if you should bow or shake hands, and how to behave out on the town, in the boardroom or when attending a wedding. Filled with practical advice on minding your manners in China, Etiquette Guide to China will be the most indispensable item you'll carry on your trip.

Asia's Legendary Hotels features some of the region's most historically significant hotels, from the Taj Mahal in India to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore to the Railway Hotel in Hua Hin. The result is a showcase of unique establishments where the past is not only present, but celebrated-and where one can discover what it was like in the golden age of travel — when a hotel was more than merely a collection of rooms and a restaurant or two.

Asian Bar and Restaurant Design is a selection of more than 40 sleekly designed and wonderfully executed bars, restaurants and clubs from across Southeast Asia. Representative of a new wave of interior design and architecture that combines Eastern aesthetics and materials with Western know-how, these designs are sure to excite insiders of the hospitality industry, foodies, interior design aficionados and people who love beautiful and well-designed spaces.

Chinese style, long considered staid and traditional, is moving rapidly in a new and innovative direction. The pioneering spirit of a new China is manifesting itself in cuttingedge design and architecture as an insatiable appetite for creative new directions leads designers to infuse their work with a fresh vision. The traditional aesthetic values of elegance, subtlety and proportion are still evident, but modern materials and techniques now form the cornerstones of new design movements. China Living presents a fascinating overview of China's diverse design landscape today. From modernist mountain villas to high-rise condominiums, and from artistic retreats in former industrial buildings to refurbished courtyard homes, the array of lifestyle and design options in China is as varied as the country itself. By unveiling the most exciting homes in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, three of the world's most dynamic cities. China Living exemplifies different facets of an emerging identity that is uniquely Chinese and yet has global appeal.

Many books have been written about batik, but Grand Batik Interiors is the first that highlights the debut of batik in the world of interior design, presenting a fresh new perspective on this most ancient of crafts. Grand Batik Interiors records batik's journey from its traditional context into the world of modernity. It examines the way this cloth, with its deeply embedded, multi-layered meanings, has been re-created to become relevant to a modern lifestyle, including its use in the garment, fashion and interior design industries.

«Korea Style reveals the intrinsic elements of Korean design; simplicity, moderation, constraint, and a deep respect for all things natural. Despite the filtering of Japanese and Western design ideas into Korea over the millennia, the peninsula has maintained its own identity and is gaining recognition for its own particular «style». Spatial, spiritual and material qualities are reflected in the simple beauty of its architectural design, while classic objects that immediately distinguish themselves as being uniquely Korean are used with distinctive flair in interior decoration. Korea Style is the first book devoted to the country's architecture and interior design-featuring twenty-two exceptional homes, studios and public and heritage buildings. Ranging from vernacular to cutting-edge creations, all are a celebration of the country's natural landscape, arts and crafts and architectural heritage juxtaposed with a drive towards invention, experimentation and individuality.»

This book features Japanese inns, or ryokan, both old and new-from inns with a history dating back a thousand years to modern inns with the latest facilities that nonetheless capture the spirit of old Japan. Each of the properties has been handpicked by the authors for their strong design aesthetic, commitment to service and purity of their spring waters. The photographs showcase the resorts at their best, and accurately express the unique architectural design of each ryokan. Each chapter begins by introducing the area surrounding the inns and their spas, or onsen, and provides a background of its local history, culture and traditions, as well as the natural environment. The text provides information on the design and development of each ryokan, and descriptions of the owners and their clientele. For those planning a visit to an onsen, this book provides contact details and information on the number of rooms, type of facilities and food, as well as vital information on travel and booking procedures and whether English is spoken. For those fascinated by Japanese culture and design, this book is an absolute delight.

No other country in the world offers such an incredible range of luxury spa and wellness destinations than Thailand. Thailand's Luxury Spas takes you inside this alluring world and reveals the best facilities and spa treatments, new trends in relaxation and holistic wellness therapy, plus well-researched information on Thai traditional healing and herbal lore. Thailand's Luxury Spas is your ticket on a journey to an unforgettable spa experience.

«Heavenly Fragrance» introduces the art of using Asia's most aromatic cooking ingredients to prepare food with wonderful fragrances to excite both the palate and sense of smell. Since over three quarters of what we taste in fact comes from smell, the aromas produced by our food are vitally important to the enjoyment that comes from eating. Inspired by fond memories of fragrant cooking since her childhood days, author Carol Selva Rajah has included in this book a collection of new and traditional Southeast Asian dishes for anyone wishing to serve the best flavors of the East at home. With chapters on aromatic herbs and flowers, aromatic fruits and nuts, and aromatic spices, pastes and seasonings, these recipes will incite the senses and inspire the soul.»

Keiko's Ikebana offers an introduction to this international art form that is both practical and contemporary. Keiko's unique approach combines traditional techniques with modern tastes, incorporating influences ranging from sculpture to today's Western styles. The result is a one-of-a-kind look that is authentic, easy to create and attractive. The book includes easy-to-follow instructions for creating 20 stunning ikebana arrangements to help readers bring this traditional Japanese art into their own homes. Readers will also be introduced to the history of ikebana, including its evolution from ancient times into the world of modern design, the basic 'rules' of ikebana design and suggestions for finding and choosing materials and supplies.

The spectacular transformation of China in the last decade is symbolized by its architecture. The booming cities of China are evolving at a speed which is hard to comprehend, and their skylines have seen a profusion of new architectural styles. An economic metamorphosis and an invasion of Western culture have created a dynamic environment for architecture and construction, both at the public and the domestic scale. This push to prosperity has excited architects from around the globe, who have seen a unique opportunity to produce remarkable and innovative designs. New China Architecture seizes this moment in time. It documents both the stunning designs of famed architects and the emergence of a whole new generation of Chinese architects. The selected projects cover a broad range of residential homes, public buildings, office towers and the adaptive reuse of older city precincts. The buildings featured include skyscrapers in Shanghai, the dazzling new designs for the Beijing Olympic Games venues, innovative private houses such as those at the Commune by the Great Wall and the now mandatory gleaming new airports and city landmarks

Ultimate Spa is the definitive guide to the best spas in Asia. Highlighting spas in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines, this book is both a showcase of the region's best spas and a comprehensive guide to their offerings. The first half of the book introduces the top spas in the region, giving useful tips regarding the facilities and different types of treatments to be experienced. The second half of the book focuses on the treatments themselves: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and the beauty and health secrets of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Endorsed by many well-regarded therapists, doctors, and spokespeople in the spa and wellness industry, this book contains many remedies, treatments, and recipes, and is a must-have for spa aficionados worldwide. Combined with this are yoga, Reiki, meditation and secret recipes for longevity — all complemented by over 600 stunning photographs.

Shunju: New Japanese Cuisine takes you on a tour of the restaurants and philosophy at the forefront of Japan's cooking revolution. Just as Alice Waters changed the way Americans thought about food, Takashi Sugimoto has revolutionized the act of dining in Japan.

The Complete Book of Sushi is the definitive collection of traditional, contemporary and innovative recipes for lovers of this Japanese cuisine. Fresh and delicious, sushi is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, as it's low in fat and high in essential vitamins and minerals. Aesthetically pleasing, sushi is also surprisingly simple to make. This practical book will show you how to create beautiful and elegant sushi dishes with ease. Featuring a wide variety of recipes for: — Planning and preparing a sushi meal — Sushi rolls — Nigiri-sushi — Molded sushi — Hand-Rolled sushi — Vegetarian sushi — Chirashi-sushi — Wrapped sushi — Sushi rice in fried tofu bags — Sushi in a bowl — New sushi — Drinks, sauces and side dishes