Collecting Japanese Antiques [Hardcover]

Alistair Seton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2004

Collecting Japanese Antiques shows what makes Japanese aesthetics so different from other countries. Antique hunters will benefit from the practical and cautionary advice in this book; newcomers will appreciate information on the basics of collecting; while other sections might reawaken interest in experienced collectors. Striking photographs highlight the beauty and craftsmanship of items such as solid wood chests and elegant prints and ceramics. A glossary explains antique-related Japanese terms.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alistair Seton graduated from Oxford University and Aberdeen College of Education, and spent five years in Arab and West African countries before coming to Japan in 1972. Since then, he has taught at various universities and was a guest lecurer for eight years at Kobe University. He is a professor at Tezukayama Gakuin University. In 1993, he founded and still edits Daruma, a quarterly magazine on Japanese antiques and art. He lives in Kobe with his university professor wife and their two children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Hardcover with Jacket edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804820945
• ISBN-13: 978-0804820943
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,345,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lavish, comprehensive, informative antique guide, January 26, 2005

By 

Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Collecting Japanese Antiques (Hardcover)

This is not your typical collector's handbook listing objects and possibly briefly describing them and listing going prices. This coffee-table quality book with the title "Collecting Japanese Antiques" is a survey of Japanese art works and cultural items with sections of advice for collectors. The historical and cultural background on the different items favors what would be of interest to collectors. But it is also informative and relevant simply for its artistic, historical, and cultural material. Readers looking for concentrated information on Japanese art and culture accompanied by attractive color photographs would find this work exceptionally suitable. For the collectors it is meant for particularly, there's sections on "Tides and Trends in Collecting," guidance in developing collections of certain items (e. g., baskets), lists of artists, notable regions and schools for certain antiques, and especially desirable objects in certain categories. Seton also moves to the technical subjects of materials, production, and workmanship which are important for collectors not only in appreciating items and assessing their value, but in making a preliminary decision about their age and authenticity. Among Seton's 13 categories of antiques are screens and scrolls, ceramics, furniture, sculpture and metalwork, dolls, and tea ceremony utensils. Seton has lived in Japan since 1972, where he currently teaches Japanese art and poetry. In 1993, he founded the quarterly magazine "Daruma" to cover Japanese art and antiques; which he still edits. "Collecting Japanese Antiques" is a work any collector or lover of Japanese art and antique objects will want for sound education and easy reference, and at times for enjoyably looking at the numerous color photos of the varied Japanese objects.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best introduction to Japanese antiques in print, July 6, 2006

By 

David B. Searles II - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Collecting Japanese Antiques (Hardcover)

If you love Japanese antiques, you cannot live without this survey, with superb photography, spectacular taste, ecclectic choice, and scholarly background by the editor of Daruma magazine. All of the major collectible fields are covered with practical, informative text, and beautifully photographed select finds. The photographic choices are representative, varied and exquisite. Not merely an introduction, the work serves as a springboard to understanding and appreciating many of the accessible antiques from the Edo and Meiji periods in particular. If the book had an index of marks for each type of collectible, it would be perfection. As-is, I like the book so much that I have bought extra copies for my friends, and a new copy when mine started to get worn.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book About Japanese Antiques, November 17, 2004

By 

Markus Zenhaeusern - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Collecting Japanese Antiques (Hardcover)

This book is a real treasure. If you buy just one book about Japanese art and antiques, this is it. Its presentation, descriptions and explanations are excellent. Reading this book is learning and pleasure at the same time.
I know the author personally and one can really see in this book his love and dedication to Japanese art.
For everybody who wants to learn more about Japanese art and antiques I strongly recommend the magazine "Daruma" which is edited by Alistair Seton.
Markus Zenhaeusern, Kobe, Japan