Customer Reviews

The Art of Japanese Prints

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

 

 

I found this book to be rather like a sampler or a primer on the art of Japanese woodblock printing. The author covers all the basic aspects of Ukiyo-e,the history, techniques , artists , and the culture of Japan are all handled in a sort of broad overview. The work starts with the earliest woodblocks done and progresses to discussing the infuence Japanese prints had on the western artists of the late 19th century. There are a number of wonderful full color reproductions of classic as well as lesser known prints. While the afficianado is not going to learn too much from this book , for the person with a budding interest in Ukiyo-e ,this would be a good place to start.

I have a theory about how one learns without benefit of a structured environment and an instructor. The first book on any subject should be one that covers the topic briefly with accurate information using proper terminology and lots of pictures to convey meaning and hold one's interest. From there, the books should be more detailed until the scholarly texts are easy to read. I would recommend "The Art of Japanese Prints" by Nigel Cawthorne as a delightful first book on Japanese prints. Much information and terminology (i.e. all the proper terms for Japanese prints: surimona, hashira-e, kacho ya, bijin-ga, nishiki-e, kirazuri,etc.)is given in this 94 page book concerning traditional Japanese woodblock prints. There is not a two-page spread that does not have at least one color print. One can easily see why Japanese prints are so desirable.

Absolutely beautiful. As an artist I am always looking for inspiration and I have found it in the choice of prints and the treatment of these prints on trace paper and in metalic form.

First, I am not an expert on Oriental art. In fact, I am quite new to it. After reading this book and admiring the art work, I felt a little let down.

Many references are made to the wood blocks and the indexing to get the different colors used to match up properly. However, there is not one picture of even one wood block; nor is there even one picture or diagram of the indexing. So little space would have been taken up with such, but a lot would have been added to understanding the art and accompanying text.

This is very much an "overview" of the subject. The text reminds me of a school report: here's a bunch of dates and names with perfunctory information on methodology.

I give it 5 stars for the pictures; about 2 stars for the text and lack of useful information. In this case I rounded down to 3 stars.

The book is itself as beautifully put together as the prints which are its subject.