Customer Reviews

Ehon: The Artist and the Book in Japan

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(1)
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This superb publication accompanies a marvelous exhibition at The New York Public Library. This is a must-have book for anyone interested not only in Japanese art and illustration, but in great art in general. Professor Keyes has focused on material in the extraordinary Spencer Collection, but follows a different approach than previous curators and authors, covering material from the 8th century Buddhist "hidden books," through Utamaro, Hiroshige and lesser known masters right through to avant-garde artist's books of the 21st century. Japanese photography of the 20th century is also included and connects in fascinating ways to the greater body of Japanese Ehon. A wonderful gift book, but be sure to squirrel away a copy for yourself! And if you are within a 500 mile radius of New York City, run to see this show on display through early February, 2007.

Very well selected and documented. Beautiful reproductions and a pleasure to read.

As a companion to the New York Public Library exhibit a couple of years ago, this book serves its purpose: it provides an interesting, well-written history of the "picture book" in a handsomely printed volume. Some figures in the text are examined in moderate detail and placed in the context of the development of this art form. I was disappointed, however, that the illustrations are far too few to convey the extraordinary beauty and variety of this tradition. I had expected figures that would give a sense of the experience of viewing the exhibit, i.e., that there would be serial photos of some of the picture books, or pictures of some of the books unfolded. Perhaps this complaint is unfair, given that this is a book and not itself an exhibition, but I had hoped for a much more liberal reproduction of the pieces in the NYPL's marvelous, extensive holdings. Such a book would undoubtedly be expensive--but it would be well worth the price.

a book you need to learn and see. to learn to see. an oriental vision of the world.