Author: Calza, Gian Carlo
Title: Ukiyo-e
Description: New York. Phaidon. 2005. First thus. Quarto. Hardcover. Near fine. Near fine. 520 Pages, fully illustrated in colour with some black and white illustrations, list of works, artist biographies, glossary, bibliography, index. The art of ukiyo-e (paintings of The Floating World) originated in the city of Edo (1603-1867, now Tokyo), when the political and military power of Japan was in the hands of the Tokugawa shoguns. Comprising six essays, six catalogue sections and over 600 illustrations, this beautiful book provides a perfect introduction to the art of this period. The paintings, scrolls and prints reproduced throughout the book demonstrate not only the new urban pleasures of the theatre, restaurants, teahouses and geisha, but also Japan's love of nature and tradition. Ukiyo-e provides a fascinating yet scholarly study of such masters as Hokusai, Hiroshige and Utamaro. Contents: Visions of the Floating World by Gian Carlo Calza; Enjoying Actor Prints: Imagining the Voices of Actors and Music by Muto Junko; Pictures of Female Beauties and Actors in Ukiyo-e Representations of Kabuki Theatre in the Early Period by Kobayashi Tadashi; The Poetic Picture: Literary Dimensions of Early Ukiyo-e by John T. Carpenter; Sunga: Erotic Art of the Edo Period by Timon Screech; The Birth and Development of the Depiction of Female Beauties (bijin-ga) in Ukiyo-e Painting by Naito Masato; Three Types of Ukiyo-e Prints: Loose Prints, Greeting Cards and Printed Books by Asano Shugo.

Keywords: japan japanese prints