Japanese Art

(Paperback, Third edition)

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Description

The uniqueness of Japanese culture rests on the fact that, throughout its history, Japan has continually taken, adapted and transformed diverse influences, whether from Korea, China, the South Seas, Europe or America, into distinct traditions of its own. This book surveys authoritatively and provocatively the arts of Japan from the prehistoric period to the present, bringing together the results of the most recent research on the subject.

Now updated and expanded with a new chapter on art since the mid-1960s, including the fields of manga and anim in which Japan leads the world, Japanese Art addresses itself equally to those who come to the subject for the first time and to the student. Profusely illustrated with examples from all the arts - painting, calligraphy, the decorative arts, photography and architecture - and with a wide-ranging bibliography, this is a concise and informative overview of a fascinating but perplexing culture, in which interest has never been greater than it is today.

Reviews

Covers the prehistoric period through Japan today and seeks to capture the essence of Japanese culture, which embraces balance, harmony, humor, and human imperfection. [Stanley-Baker] aims to communicate the sense of union between the art and the artist, as well as the ability of Japanese art and culture to absorb the ideas and influences of other cultures into its own.-- "Protoview"

Author Bio

Joan Stanley-Baker is Emeritus Professor of Art History at Tainan National University of Arts, Taiwan.