Edo: Art in Japan, 1615-1868. National Gallery of Art

Robert T. Singer with John T. Carpenter, Hollis Goodall, Victor Harris, Matthew McKelway, Herman Ooms, Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere, Henry D. Smith II, Sharon S. Takeda, and Melinda Takeuchi Wachington: National Gallery of Art, 1988. – 480 p. The Edo period is one of the richest in the history of Japanese art, but only in recent decades has it become a focus of art-historical study in Japan. “Edo” refers both to the city of Edo—now called Tokyo—and to a time period, from 1615 to 1868, during which fifteen generations of Tokugawa shogun, or feudal overlords, ruled Japan from this urban capital. The political stability of the period enabled a vibrant popular culture to develop, and new styles of artistic expression appeared throughout Japan. The term Edo now connotes a distinctive aesthetic sensibility that spans a wide range of art forms, including screen paintings, scrolls, sculptures, ceramics, lacquers, textiles, and woodblock prints. This catalog accompanied the first large-scale exhibition covering the entire Edo period to be held in the United States. The Western understanding of traditional Japanese art is almost wholly based on works from the Edo period, an era of splendor and innovation in the arts. One hallmark of Edo art is the lack of distinction between high art and craft: an artist was as likely to paint on lacquer, ceramic, or textile as on paper or silk. This gorgeous book presents examples of Edo art in all media and across social boundaries--from paintings of nature and city life on gold-leaf screens to woodblock images of Kabuki actors and courtesans, from Zen paintings and calligraphy to spectacular helmets and armor for the samurai, from brilliantly colored porcelains to textiles made for Noh theater, Kyogen comedy, and affluent women of the merchant class. Works are grouped thematically into such areas as festivals, warrior arts, religious beliefs, travel, play, and courtly traditions, and essays written by experts in the field address these various themes, placing the works in the context of the times. The book also provides entries on the individual objects reproduced. The book is the catalogue for a major exhibition of Edo art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., from 15 November 1998 to 15 February 1999. 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 Forms And Norms In Edo Arts And Society / Herman Ooms -- Ornament -- Ornamental Culture: Style And Meaning In Edo Japan / Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere -- Samurai -- Arms: The Balance Of Peace / Victor Harris -- Work -- Workers Of Edo: Ambiance, Archetype, Or Individual / Hollis Goodall -- Religion And Festivals -- Old Worlds, New Visions: Religion And Art In Edo Japan / Robert T. Singer -- Travel Landscape, And Nature -- City, Country, Travel, And Vision In Edo Cultural Landscapes / Melinda Takeuchi -- Entertainment -- The Human Figure In The Playground Of Edo Artistic Imagination / John T. Carpenter. Robert T. Singer ; With John T. Carpenter ... [et Al.]. Exhibition Dates 15 November 1998 Through 15 February 1999 And Organized By The National Gallery Of Art, Washington. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 478-479). Shows and describes Edo-period art, including screens, armor, woodblock prints, pottery, and kimonos