青幻舎 SEIGENSHA Art Publishing

A cornucopia of delight, from the whimsical to the elegant.

Russian design features a simple and unaffected aesthetic decidedly distinct from mainstream European tastes. Highlighting words beginning with the thirty letters of the Cyrillic alphabet, this book gives an overview of quirky, romantic, or retro items that weave a peculiar spell, from architecture (under A: архитектура) both traditional and contemporary to chandelier-bedecked subway stations (under T for “traffic”: трафик) and colorful kitchenware. Also interspersed are facts about Russian culture and handy Russian phrases for those interested in a deeper immersion in the country.

Miho Ioka, a former travel agent, has made nearly forty trips to Russia. She has made an avocation of collecting knickknacks from all around the world, which she displays in two coffee shops she operates with her husband in Nara prefecture.