Excerpt from The Ornamental Arts of Japan, Vol. 2 At what period incrusted-work became a recognised branch of Japanese art industry it is out of our power to say; but there can be no question that it was adopted, though to a small extent, by the early lacquer artists, and is, accordingly, several centuries old. Its highest development was, however, reserved for recent times; and it is probably safe to say that the most important works have been executed in the present century; indeed, many of the purely modern specimens of the art are unquestionably the finest the world has seen of their class. The reason of this is obvious; the modern Japanese artists select designs in which their power of delineation is almost if not altogether unapproachable; and they render them in materials which readily admit of the most artistic and delicate manipulation, and of the most refined colour treatments. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Ornamental Arts of Japan, Vol. 1 No one can be more impressed with the manifold shortcomings of the present Work than I am; for it is not too much to say that had its entire series of Plates and every page of its Text been devoted to the treatment of any one of the more important Sections it embraces, much would remain, even in that Single art, unillustrated and unexplained. Such being the case, I trust to the indulgence of my readers and the consideration of my critics when they turn over the following leaves. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Japanese Art, Vol. 2: Books Relating to Japanese Art in the National Art Library, South Kensington Museum Rein, Johann Justus. Japan: travels and researches undertaken at the cost of the Prussian Government. Translated from the German. 15 plates, 4 cuts, and 3 maps. (10 x 7) London, 1884. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Assembled by a renowned art historian, these vivid illustrations offer spectacular examples of Japanese painting, printing, embroidery, lacquer work, and cloisonné, as well as masterpieces in ivory and porcelain.

Excerpt from Studies in the Decorative Art of Japan I have not attempted in these pages anything approaching an exhaustive examination of the decorative art of Japan. The area it covers is so extensive thati doubt if it is possible to do more than touch lightly upon its manifold phases; for even the most diligent student there always come surprises, and the end of his labours ever recedes into the distance. The art knows no limitations, and a hundred books would not be sufficient to set it forth in all its infinite Variety. Studies, somewhat intermittent I fear, seem to me to be all that is possible. The decoration of the temples has been treated as a distinct subject for although it touches the art of the people at many points, and on one side of it reveals the historic influence of the Buddhist religion as it came to Japan through China from India, yet stands apart as an art specially Japanese, inspired by the national purposes to which it was put. I am conscious that the method I have adopted for reproducing the designs is Open to much criticism, for it is limited only to their general effect - very imperfect sketches of light and shade, leaving the student or the architect to work out the ground-plan, or scheme of construction, for himself. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.