The Art of Twentieth-Century Zen: Paintings and Calligraphy by Japanese (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Following a brief introduction to the historical development of Zen Buddhism in Japan and its characteristics in the 20th century, this exhibition catalog unfolds the personal journeys of 14 leading Japanese Zen masters expressing the Zen spirit in their teaching and their art. Appropriately illustrated with portraits of the masters and their calligraphy and paintings, mostly in full color, this book is a rich display of artistic variations on traditional Zen themes. One of very few titles on the subject, this is an important contribution to the study of Zen art and serves as a window on the Zen world for the Western audience. Seo teaches Japanese art and culture at the College of William and Mary; the exhibition will be touring the United States through the spring of 2000. Recommended for public and academic libraries as a welcome addition to Asian art collections.?Lucia S. Chen, NYPL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

     This is the first book of its kind devoted to Zen art as a living tradition – published in conjunction with a touring exhibit of twentieth-century Zen art that will be on display at the Los Angeles County Museum, the University of Richmond, Virginia, and other locations.
     
     Zen art has long been acknowledged as a priceless legacy of Japanese culture. Zen teachers believe that visual art, such as painting, calligraphy, and ceramics, can reveal Zen mind more directly than can words alone. While previous books have focused on works from earlier centuries, The Art of Twentieth-Century Zen explores the heart of the Zen cultural experience with contemporary Zen art, demonstrating how this time-honored visual form continues to flourish today. Through their personal, dramatic, and often humorous brushwork, the great Zen masters of our own century have continued to create striking new expressions of their own Zen insight.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570623589
• ISBN-13: 978-1570623585
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #756,268 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See the paperback review, August 24, 2008

By	Caroling Wholeo "web artist" (www.wholeo.net) - See all my reviews

I was thinking of writing a review for this valuable book. Since I have the paperback, I read the review for it. I agree with everything said by ROBERTO "rofernan". I'm sure that the hardness of the cover is not the important feature of this book. The art speaks directly. So often, we see famous ancient works. That's great and safe. But to present works fresh and relatively unknown, from a living tradition is art appreciation in the highest. By focusing on the work and lives of 14 Zen Masters, we see how each represents the whole, the spiritual depth of Zen, while learning history, both Japanese and American, east meeting west. This book was published in conjunction with an exhibition that toured four museums from 1998-2000. There are 90 plates and 28 figures. The mediums are ink paintings and pottery but there are photographs of temples and people too. It is a treasure.