Chapter I: Preface

This little book is intended not for the collector or the connoisseur, but merely for those who require an introduction to a field of art hitherto little explored but which will well repay further study.

For fuller information on the subject many sources are available, but a word of caution is necessary. A bibliography of works on Japanese art would be misleading rather than useful, for much of what has been written regarding it is, as criticism, quite valueless.

On Japanese painting the most important, indeed the only sound work, is contained in a series of articles contributed by Mr Arthur Morrison to _The Monthly Review_, 1902-3. The writings of Mr E. F. Strange deal fully and adequately with Colour Printing; Captain Brinkley is a good authority on Keramics, and Mr Josiah Conder on Landscape Gardening and Flower Arrangement.

The Transactions of the Japan Society contain many interesting and well-illustrated articles on Japanese minor arts, and the charm of Japanese life is nowhere reflected more pleasantly than in the writings of Sir Edwin Arnold and Mr Lafcadio Hearn.

To the custodians of public and the owners of private collections I am indebted for many courtesies, and especially to Mr M. Tomkinson, Franche Hall, Kidderminster, for permission to reproduce several of the illustrations in the sumptuous catalogue of his collection.

S. D.
_October 1904._

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. INTRODUCTORY 1

II. PAINTING 16

III. COLOUR PRINTING 46

IV. SCULPTURE AND CARVING 63

V. METAL WORK 77

VI. KERAMICS 96

VII. LACQUER 121

VIII. LANDSCAPE GARDENING AND THE ARRANGEMENT
OF FLOWERS 138

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAINTING --

A Rainy Landscape, by Sansetsu _Frontispiece_
Flying Ducks, by Korin _To face page_ 4
Fukurokujiu and Crane, by Korin 12
Arhat and Lion, by Cho Densu 18
An Impressionist Landscape, by Sesson 22
A Landscape in the Chinese Style, by Sesshiu 30
Shoriken crossing the Sea on his Sword, by Motonobu 34
Kwannon, the Goddess of Mercy, by Tanyu 36
Bird and Pine Branch, by Naonobu 38
Flower Panel, by Korin 40
Monkeys and Plum Blossom, by Sosen 42
A Peacock, by Ippo 44

COLOUR PRINTS --

A Figure Group, by Utamaro 52
A Figure Study, by Toyokuni 56
One of the Thirty-six Views of Fuji, by Hokusai 60
A Landscape, by Hiroshigé 62

SCULPTURE AND CARVING --

Colossal Bronze Image of a Bodhisatwa 66
Portrait of Senno Rikiu, carved in Wood and Lacquered 70
A Group of Netsukés 74

METAL WORK --

Two Bowls Cast in Bronze 78
Eagle in Cast and Hammered Iron 82
A Group of Tsubas 90

KERAMICS --

A Group of Porcelain 104
Vase, Satsuma Faience 108
A Group of Various Wares 114

LACQUER --

Lid of Suzuri-bako or Writing-case 124
A Group of Inro 130
A Group of Inro, by Korin 134

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT --

A Flower Composition 148

TAILPIECES --

Equestrian Figures from the Mangwa of Hokusai; Fans
from Korin Hiakuzu; and Crests.