Customer Reviews

Time Present and Time Past: Images of a Forgotten Master: Toyohara Kunichika (1835-900)

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

 

 

Having now acquired quite a number of Kunichika woodblocks and taken the time to actually visit Kabuki Theatre in the Ginza of Tokyo, my fascination and interest in the Master's work has grown and the book gives great additional insights and history. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Japanese art and in particular the striking images of the Japanese theatre and life of the past. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This book is exactly what you would expect. There are many of Kunichika's prints. There is a good history of his carreer. There is a reference section to identify the age of his prints, printer, carver and publisher, ect..

Brilliantly reproduced woodblock prints of Toyohara Kunichika, the last of the great Japansese print masters, dominate this marvelous book. Books on this late-19th century great masters are rare, especially in English. If you are loking for one book on the subject, this is the one to get. Accompanying the color plates, the book also has sections on Kunichika's biography, his arts in historical context, Kinichika's signatures and seals, his publishers' and carvers' seals, and a nice bibliography. If nothing else, marvel at the prints of Kunichika. Move over, Hiroshige and Hokusai! Make room for Kunichika's fearsome looking Kabuki actors and warriors!! Amy Reigle Newland has again added more chapters to the wonderful world of Japanese woodblock prints. Speaking for myself, I'm certainly grateful for her effort.

What can say about this book---Yes, it is a indispensible book for you to study Kunichika. If you like Hokusai and Kuniyoshi, you cannot miss Kunichika. Compare with the first two, who were still influenced by some Chinese paining style, Kunichika is standfast Janapense artist.

The only drawback of this book is PRICE. I've purchased many Hotei books before. This is the most expensive regarding the # of pages. If you read my previous reviews, you may find that I have had the same complaint before.

But, what can I do??? It always has unique books but PRICY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can only buy HOTEI's books when they are 50% off.

I give this book 5 points just because of its quality.