Manhoru - Japanese Manhole Covers The existence of the book

The existence of the book itself is hope

It lasted a couple of decades before falling out of favour

this unpublished body of work invites you to discover a subtle artform and a most excellent design opportunity that is completely overlooked elsewhere

images made in the 1920’s and 1930’s

including the Museum of Modern Art in New York

Manhoru - Japanese Manhole Covers The existence of the bookManhoru by Thomas Couderc brings together an extraordinary and joyous collection of Japanese manhole covers. Captured by the author during a trip to Japan, or gleaned later on the internet, this unpublished body of work invites you to discover a subtle artform and a most excellent design opportunity that is completely overlooked elsewhere. British and European manhole covers are dismally functional by comparison. In Japan, 'Manhorukaba' or manhole