Customer Reviews

The Art and Architecture of Japan: Third Edition (The Yale University Press Pelican Histor)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this book in my never ending pursuit of sholarly discourse on Japanese Buddhist sculpture. It is one thing to study sculpture and painting. It is quite another to understand it in the context of history and the architecture that housed it. Enlightening, to say the least, and meaningful reading. Its coverage of Buddhism and Buddhist art in Japan is noteworthy.

'The Art and Architecture of Japan' is an interesting overview of the three main artistic fields: sculpture, painting and architecture. It is divided into two parts, the first one touching the first two, the second totally devoted to buildings. They have been written by different historians.

For a general and synthetic view, it is a very good book. It's main problem is the fact that all its pictures are in black and white. The original text is also a bit old, but it has been tweaked and revised, and put up-to-date with notes (specially the second part). I give it 4 and not 5 stars because of the pictures, which in an art book (and more so with Japanese art, extremely colourful), you lose a lot from the use of B & W. If you can get it cheap, it is still a great general guide.

"The Art and Architecture of Japan" by Paine and Soper has much information about Japanese art and architecture from prehistoric times through the Edo period ending 1867. The text contains information about a great many works, artists, styles and influences. It is good as a reference work or a textbook for this information.
I disagree with a statement I have seen in a travel guide that this book is a good introduction to Japanese art. Although the book contains a lot of information, I do not believe it would help someone with little experience of Japanese art to appreciate it. For many points made by the authors and for many works described there is no photograph. When there is a photograph, it is in black and white so that one does not see the colorful beauty that many works have. The book does not include information about more contemporary developments in Japanese art. Only the visual arts are discussed.
On the other hand, as an account of the history of early Japanese art the book is very informative and well organized. For readers with more than a casual interest in Japanese art, I recommend it.

Book was in the condition it stated. Prompt delivery. I will use this seller again.