History of Art in Japan

In this book the leading authority on Japanese art history tells the fascinating story of the country's exceptional cultural heritage. Tsuji Nobuo sheds light on how Japan has nurtured distinctive aesthetics, prominent artists, and movements that have achieved global influence and popularity. The History of Art in Japan discusses works ranging from the Jomon period to contemporary art, from earthenware figurines in 13,000 BCE to manga, anime, and modern subcultures. Tsuji explains crucial aspects of Japan's many artistic mediums and styles--paintings, ukiyo-e, ceramics, sculpture, armor, gardens, and architecture--covering thousands of years. Drawing on newly discovered archaeological discoveries and the latest research, he discusses Japanese art in various contexts, including Buddhist and religious influences, aristocratic and popular aesthetics, and interactions with the world, as well as the country's depth of culture. This book, the first translation into English of the most updated, reliable, and comprehensive review of the history of Japanese art, is an indispensable resource for all those interested in this multifaceted history. With new maps, figures, and an updated comprehensive bibliography in English, this new edition will illuminate countless aspects of Japanese art for scholars and general readers alike.

Tsuji Nobuo is professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Tama Art University and former director of Chiba City Museum and the Miho Museum. His works in English include Lineage of Eccentrics: Matabei to Kuniyoshi (2012). Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere is director of research at the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, professor of Japanese art and culture at the University of East Anglia, and IFAC Hand Curator of Japanese Arts at the British Museum.

Preface to the English Edition Translator's Preface Neng- Era Chart Map of Archaeological Sites Timelines Introduction 1. J-mon: The Force of Primal Imagination 2. Yayoi and Kofun: Influences from the Continent 3. Asuka and Hakuh-: The Sphere of East Asian Buddhist Arts 4. Nara: The Spread of the Tang International Style 5. Heian: J-gan, Fujiwara, and Insei Art 6. Kamakura Period: Aristocratic Aesthetics in Flux 7. Nanbokuch- and Muromachi: Zen Buddhism and Chinese Art 8. Azuchi-Momoyama: The Flowering of Kazari 9. Edo: Townspeople and the Rise of Urban Culture 10. Meiji to Heisei: Modern and Contemporary Art Notes Recommended Reading for Further Study Image Credits Index