Going back to the eighth century and moving forward to the present in pictures, the photographer reveals the importance and meaning of patterns in Japanese life; his study is supported by information supplied in the introduction. Brief notes on all individual plates are listed at the beginning of the book. The plates follow en masse and are separated into three groups: Wood --the longest section, Paper, and Clay. The removal of photographs from explanations may confuse the uninitiated viewer, but specialists may not be hampered by the arrangement.