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The Enduring Art of Japan
Moderate shelf wear to this vintage paperback. Pages are clean and binding is sound. LISTEDBY(KAD)
Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 21, 2017
The poor reviews of this book do not take into account the 1952 publication date. Remarkable book for that date, and among other things a major source for Warner's friend William Empson in his own explorations of Buddhist sculpture.
December 9, 2016
Nine chapters--one for each of nine talks given in the early 1950s on the subject of Japanese art: Early Buddhism; Shinto; Fujiwara; Kamakura; Ashikaga; The Great Decorators 1573-1750; Folk and Traditional Art; the Transformation of Nature in Art; and Tea, Gardens and Zen. Although somewhat dated and very introductory (obviously intended for a general audience), there are still some statements that give pause for thought--even if you find yourself ultimately rejecting them.
About fifty pages of B&W illustrations accompany the text with a short recommended reading list since overshadowed by newer and more informed and nuanced works. Would it be too cruel to say that while Japan's art is truly enduring, this text is perhaps not as enduring as the well-known author would have wished.
About fifty pages of B&W illustrations accompany the text with a short recommended reading list since overshadowed by newer and more informed and nuanced works. Would it be too cruel to say that while Japan's art is truly enduring, this text is perhaps not as enduring as the well-known author would have wished.
May 12, 2015
Should be titled the "A Brief Feeling Pertaining to a Partial Art Survey in Japan", sub-heading, "Very Brief"
The book was fine, really, maybe dated, but well written and from a point of view of an author who knows the subject. But there is no room anywhere for the author to get into any details, history, or to even produce a narrative about the 'Enduring' quality of Japanese art in the title. It's not even coherent enough to call it a long essay.
I give it 2-stars because it was written well, gave a special insight into an American writer/archeologists frame of mind c.a. 1952 on Japan, and because, god-damn, if your going to do touch-and-feel book like this you make it short and sweet so we can all continue on to other things in short order!
The book was fine, really, maybe dated, but well written and from a point of view of an author who knows the subject. But there is no room anywhere for the author to get into any details, history, or to even produce a narrative about the 'Enduring' quality of Japanese art in the title. It's not even coherent enough to call it a long essay.
I give it 2-stars because it was written well, gave a special insight into an American writer/archeologists frame of mind c.a. 1952 on Japan, and because, god-damn, if your going to do touch-and-feel book like this you make it short and sweet so we can all continue on to other things in short order!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews