By: Penelope Mason Publisher: Prentice Hall Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Prentice Hall Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 432 Publication Date: October 04, 2004
Product Description: Japanese art, like so many expressions of Japanese culture, is fascinatingly rich in its contrasts and paradoxes. Since the country opened its doors to the outside world in the mid-nineteenth century. Japanese art and culture have enjoyed an immense popularity in the West. When in 1993 renowned scholar Penelope Mason wrote the the first edition of History of Japanese Art, it was the first such volume in thirty yearsto chart a detailed overview of the subject. It remains the only comprehensive survey of its kind in English. This second edition ties together more closely the development of all the media within a well-articulated historical and social context. New to the Second Edition *Extended coverage of Japanese art beyond 1945 *New discoveries both in archeology and scholarship *New material on calligraphy, ceramics, lacquerware, metalware, and textiles *An extended glossary *A comprehensively updated bibliography *94 new illustrations
OK The art was beautiful, and I have no idea how accurate the information was, but it was interesting. It did seem kind of vague???
Japanese art overview This volume is a good overview of the arts of Japan from a historical perspective. The perspective is decidedly Western, however, and tends to overstate the relevance of "fine arts" as opposed to the so-called "minor arts" and crafts. Thus, woodblock prints are given less space than their cultural impact would imply. More importantly, ceramics are accorded very little space - a major shortcoming to any art history of Japan.
Useful for Art History Students Depending on what your intended usage for this book will be, this book may be somewhat helpful. I needed this for an art history class my senior year of college as an art history major. Thing is, the class was pretty ridiculous. It was supposed to be an introductory class into the art of japanese art & tradition, but the professor spoke more of Chinese art & traditions.
This book will give you a pretty thorough knowledge in Japanese Art, as well as some of its culture, more through the introductions of the eras and periods and through its pictures. But that's it, do not buy this if you're looking for a complete knowledge, because that's not what it is. Also, if you are looking for early (i.e. ancient!) japanese history, there really isn't any, in this book or just in general.
Definitely buy it here on Amazon, because I found it to be a lot cheaper in comparison to my friends who had spent a fortune on it through eBay and the university bookstores. You may also want to get a soft cover if you want to sell it back later on or use it solely for class, because it's such a heavy book (I have the hard cover). My intent was to keep the book, because it's such a nice book to have in anyone's collection.
If you do purchase it, you will not be let down. It's a great buy.
good comprehensive book.helped in class very good book decent photos, covered a good amount of information . Got for my history of japanese painting class helped out
History of Japanese Art (Trade) (2nd Edition) Excellent - Just what I thought it would be.
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