On The Laws of Japanese Painting

by Henry Pike Bowie

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Art, Reference, Nonfiction, Japan

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

d. 1920

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 1911, it's a bit archaic though well illustrated for a book of this time. I feel there is better, more modern versions of this by Japanese authors. Of the top of my head, Shozo Sato books on painting cover these quite well.

Now available from Project Gutenberg so I don't need a paper copy.

[Morris Nelms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information. Probably a bit dated. I think a paperback or hardback version with bigger and clearer illustrations would be a better choice for this book.
I think he sort of contradicts himself. In one place he says knowledge of kanji (Chinese characters written with a brush) is fundamental to Japanese painting. In another place he says it is a mistake so see Japanese art as based on Japanese calligraphy. I think what he means is that the calligraphy teaches you how to use the brush, but in painting you have more freedom. However, he doesn't make that clear.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it