Japanese Art and Design: The Toshiba Gallery

Offering an overview of Japanese art, this work presents a collection of Japan's achievements in art and design, with emphasis on ceramics, lacquer, textiles, prints and metalwork. First published in 1986, Japanese Art and Design has established itself as the seminal introduction to Japanese artifacts. The text, which is clear and informative, covers 16 areas including Buddhist images, Tea ceramics, Netsuke, Dress and Woodblock prints. Objects are set in their social context - why they were made and for whom they were made are questions addressed by the authors. Heavily illustrated, mainly with full page plates.