The Ornamental Arts of Japan

Japanese art was virtually unknown in the West until the middle of the nineteenth century, when the island nation emerged from 200 years of self-imposed isolation. A passion for Japanese culture swept Europe, and this landmark publication opened the eyes of the world to the grace and beauty of Japanese design.
George Ashdown Audsley, a leader in the revival of English decorative design and one of the first Britons to specialize in Japanese art, assembled this outstanding collection. Featuring 60 full-color plates, it offers spectacular examples of Japanese painting, printing, embroidery, lacquer work, and cloisonné as well as masterpieces in ivory and porcelain. Informative captions accompany each illustration. Art lovers, rare book collectors, and enthusiasts of Japanese culture will treasure this magnificent selection of timeless art.

1. Takao, the courtesan of Yoshiwara
2. Ofuku throwing beans at a demon
3. Kokuzo Bosatsu, the Bodhisavatta of Benevolence, Fudo, the Flame God, and Bishaman, one of the Deva Kings
4. Ori-han painting of monkeys in broad washes and penciling on e-ginu
5. Ori-han painting of monkeys
6. Chiriman; waterlines, duck, and plants; head, neck, and tail feathers
7. Crane on E-ginu
8. Unknown legendary characters from an ori-han
9. Birds, landscapes and vegetation
10. The descent of wicked souls into hell
11. The descent of wicked souls into hell
12. From a book of drawings by Katsugawa Shunshido
13. From a book of drawings by Katsugawa Shunshido
14. Maiden of the mist
15. Cock and a hen standing on a drum
16. Tortoise and crane
17. The ship of good fortune followed by another ship and a crane
18. Fukusa embroidery of silk and gold; bird's eyes are glass
19. Fukusa embroidery
20. Fukusa embroidery; falcon; tree, clouds, and perch; chords and tassels
21. Fukusa embroidery
22. Portion of an embroidered robe
23. Back portion of a robe
24. Woven fabric produced by the silk warp
25. Fukusa woven fabric
26. Binding of an Ori-hon;pattern of flowers, leaves, dragons and religious emblems
27. Fukusa loom fabric
28. Obi fabric
29. Mythical bird Howo and the tree Kiri from a book of textile designs
30. Woven pattern of small birds and flowers
31. Silk and gold fabric brocade
32. Silk and gold fabric brocade
33. Part of a costume obi
34. Brocade weaving
35. Brocade weaving
36. Peony plant; part of an obi
37. Lacquer box lids
38. The mythical bird Howo
39. The drum
40. Black lacquer tabletop
41. The celebrated poetess Shunzei
42. Lacquer and polished wood
43. Seed vessel and leaves
44. Black lacquer on wood
45. Lacquer on wood
46. Ben-Kei figure
47. Jar of gold
48. Octagonal dish
49. Two views of a jar
50. Segments from a circular border
51. Bottle of opaque and translucent enamel
52. Tan-to (dagger); kodzuka handle; kiri badge; tsubas (sword-guards).
53. Print from a cloisonné jar.
54. Sara of cloisonné enamel; kara kusa and detached diaper
55. Sara of cloisonné enamel and thin metal work
56. Ivory carvings: A woodman with wife and child; Goshishé signing the peace treaty with the Kingdom of Yetsu
57. Ivory carvings: Seiwobo and child; Kuanwa holding a makimono; koché-né-mai (dance of the butterflies).
58. Ivory carving of the famous archer Tametomo and his sword-bearer
59. Porcelain statuette of Usugomo
60. Faience and lacquer figure of a mother and child