The Japanese Print Since 1900: Old Dreams and New Visions

This is the first complete survey of modern, Japanese prints to be published in a European language. It begins with the popular prints of the Russo-Japanese War, continues with the widely recognised artists of the mid-century, such as Onchi and Munakata, and ends with Noda, who is today internationally influential. Drawing on his wide knowledge of previous centuries of Japanese art, Lawrence Smith shows that despite their modernity Japanese prints of the twentieth century have never lost touch with their traditional past. All the elements which make up the greatness of Japanese graphic art are still there - the perfect sense of design, the psychological insight, the sensitive use of colour - but they have been recreated through the eyes of artists open to Western influences. From the tension between East and West have developed some of the most remarkable and contrasting prints of the century.

Lawrence Smith is Keeper of the Department of Oriental Antiquities in the British Museum.

With 50 colour plates and 100 monochrome, illustrations.