Jazz Kissa - Katsumasa Kusunose

Immerse yourself in the soul of Japanese listening culture with Jazz Kissa, an expansive photographic exploration of Japan’s iconic jazz cafés, known as Jazz Kissa. The book is the result of over fifteen years of dedicated work by photographer and cultural historian Katsumasa Kusunose, who has meticulously documented these intimate spaces and the people who keep their spirit alive.

The publication features a foreword by Devon Turnbull, founder of Ojas, whose handcrafted speakers and installations have become touchstones of the modern listening movement. His words connect the philosophy of Jazz Kissa with today’s global resurgence of high-fidelity audio culture. Woven throughout the book is a special exploration of the design of the Hi-Fi equipment, from the legendary Altec A7s to iconic JBL speakers and bespoke amplifiers, revealing how the physicality of these machines shapes the emotional experience of listening. The aesthetic choices of these cafés are inseparable from the sound they produce, making them both temples of music and showcases of design excellence.

Printed on specially sourced Japanese paper inspired by the texture of Altec A7 speakers and wrapped in a traditional OBI strip, Jazz Kissa is both a cultural document and a beautiful object in its own right.

Binding: Hardcover
Content: 336 pages
Format: 24.5 x 3.5 x 31
Language: English

ISBN: 9789083532004