Shows and describes Edo-period art, including screens, armor, woodblock prints, pottery, and kimonos

This survey examines the art and artists of the Edo period, one of the great epochs in Japanese art. The author focuses on the urban aspects of Edo art, including discussions of many of Japan's most popular artists - Korin, Utamaro and Hiroshige, among others.

Accompanies an exhibition of the same name held at the Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 14-July 26, 2020.

The West's understanding of historical Japan is almost wholly based on works of art from the Edo period -- screen paintings of landscape settings and city life, woodblock prints of sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, and courtesans; brilliantly colored porcelains, exquisite textiles made for nō theater or wealthy patrons. One hallmark of Edo art is the lack of distinction between "high art" and "crafts": an artist was as likely to design a lacquer box or a ceramic bowl as to paint on paper or silk. This lavishly illustrated book presents examples of Edo art in all media, discussed in the context of ornament, samurai arts, work, religion and festivals, landscapes and travel, and entertainment. Experts in the field have written essays that address the themes and entries that focus on the individual works of art. -- From publisher's description.

This volume showcases the recently donated Japanese paintings in the Indianapolis Museum of Art, comprising works of 46 Japanese artists, including master painters Buson, Jakuchu, Sotatsu and Shohaku.