The Art and Culture of Japan by Nelly Delay.
DESCRIPTION: Softcover: 159 pages. Publisher: Discoveries; (1999). The ephemeral nature of the material realm is central to Japanese culture. Beauty and pleasure are fleeting, and the moment must be captured as it flies. Elegant palaces and serene monasteries are made of wood and paper. Simple materials such as bamboo and raked pebbles are as precious as lacquer, silk, and gold leaf. From the formal rituals of archery and the tea ceremony, to the colorful scenes of everyday life displayed in “ukiyo-e” prints, every gesture of art is calculated to open the consciousness to the world. This refined relationship between interior and exterior life, based on Zen traditions, is evident in many aspects of Japanese tradition, from the meditative order of gardens to the formalities of Kabuki and No theatre.
CONDITION: Remainder mark on bottom, New, never read.
PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW FOR SAMPLE PAGES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.
PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.
REVIEW: The silhouette if Mount Fuji emerging from the clouds is a timeless image that has inspired artists for centuries. In Japanese cities or in the countryside the visitor will come across constant reminders of the past. Shinto priests, medicant monks, offerings to the “kami” spirits, Zen gardens, the coats of arms of monasteries and ancient families, wooden toys, commemorative plaques, printed scarves. In Japan history pervades every aspect of modern life, and time has no boundaries.
Contents/Chapter Headings include: 1) The Realm of the “Kami”. 2) A Buddhist Civilization. 3) The Art of the Court. 4) The Way of the Warrior. 5) The Way of Zen. 6) The Edo Period: Life as Theatre. 7) Documents. 8) Chronology and Further Reading. Author Nelly Delay is a graduate of the Louvre school of art and an art historian specializing in ancient Japanese art. Between 1974 and 1987 she organized a number of exhibitions, for which she wrote the catalogues. She is the author of “L’Estampe Japonaise”, and lectures at various cultural organizations.
REVIEW: This richly detailed survey shows how Japanese architecture, sculpture, scroll painting, drawing, printmaking, and calligraphy reflect developments in religion and politics, from the advent of Zen to the opening of Japan to the West. Well-written, loaded with information, and with a rich assortment of illustrations, each Discoveries "RM" volume is a look at one facet of art, archaeology, music, history, philosophy, popular culture, science, or nature. These innovatively designed, affordably priced, compact paperbacks bring ideas to life and amplify our understanding of civilization in a new way. 165 illustrations, 130 in full color, 2 maps.
REVIEW: Discusses Japanese culture and tradition and the relationship between the interior and exterior life, which is based on Zen traditions. Bibliography, documents section, list of illustrations, index. Well written, amply loaded with information, with a rich assortment of illustrations. These books are innovatively designed, compact paperbacks that bring ideas to life and amplify our understanding of civilization in a new way!
REVIEW: In “The Art and Culture of Japan”, the author describes the greater aspects of Japanese past and present art and culture. He touches on a wide array of cultural differences and even explores the art of rock gardens. In this book, there is enough information on gardening to fulfill my horticultural needs and wants. He lividly describes the Samuri and their code of honor, while offering a view on the way that the Shinto religion functions and their main beliefs. And did I mention the pictures? Truly amazing and sumptuous!
REVIEW: This book was originally written in French and then translated into English. The book is remarkable for the abundance of high quality photographs. Visually, this book is stunning, filled with lots of slick, high-gloss images. It is truly remarkable, and the images are worth every penny of the price of the book.
I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer. This book is shipped FOR FREE via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”). The shipment will include free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site and free insurance coverage). If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra $1.00. Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher.
Most international orders cost an additional $12.99 to $33.99 for an insuredshipment in a heavily padded mailer, and typically includes some form of rudimentary tracking and/or delivery confirmation (though for some countries, this is only available at additional cost). There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+). Rates and available services vary a bit from country to country. You can email or message me for a shipping cost quote, but I assure you they are as reasonable as USPS rates allow, and if it turns out the rate is too high for your pocketbook, we will cancel the sale at your request. ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers.
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Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.
I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."
