A History of Japanese Art: From Prehistory to the Taisho Period

by Noritake Tsuda, Patricia Graham (Foreword)

A History of Japanese Art offers readers a comprehensive view of Japanese art through Japanese eyes—a view that is the most revealing of all perspectives. At the same time, it provides readers with a guide to the places in Japan where the best and most representative creations of Japanese art are to be seen.

Genres: Art, Art History, Japan, Nonfiction, History

480 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2009

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very disappointed that this book has not been updated to recent knowledge. I do not see the purpose of republishing this book! Its main issues are that the antiquated romanization is kept, the book has not been grammatically combed over, and the information is terribly outdated. It's a shame because I (like many, I am quite sure) thought this would be the perfect resource for a beginning entry into Japanese art. While I am sure 70% of the book is still accurate, the remaining 30% that is iffy makes me uneasy. The reader themselves cannot be held accountable of spotting outdated information, especially if they are new to Japanese art!

I also think it is a little silly for about half of the book to be a tour guide for art in major Japanese cities. Having this be a two-in-one results in neither of the sections containing adequate information. Also, it is a little annoying to read the tour guide section and see information that was important but not included in the previous parts.

Overall, I am very disappointed, seeing how little of introductory texts there are to Japanese art. If you are looking for a strong scholarly work, I would recommend Penelope Mason's History of Japanese Art over any other sources. It is appropriately in-depth, is fairly new (published in 1990s), and features wonderful color reproductions.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had amazing Japanese art it shows the prehistory to a different time period that Japan culture change throughout like war, religion, countries came to Japan. China and Korea create art and religion transfers to Japan then Japanese people recreate same things like in China and Korea culture to different. Civil War was kinda common in Japan that different region had daimyo conquer Japan to become Shogun or other ambitions samurai thinking different. Shogun time period have to change the culture of art styles it used to be each they have to replace.