Abstract

This book has received considerable acclaim for its attempt to examine Japanese art history from a comparative perspective, particularly in relation to Chinese culture, rather than viewing Japanese art as a form of “unique culture.” From the late ninth to the tenth century, a new artistic movement known as Yamato-e emerged and established a distinctive concept of “Japanese beauty,” characterized by harmonious combinations of colors and soft, graceful forms. In this book, the author traces the genealogy of Japanese art, exploring a wide range of works, including Buddhist art, architecture, and sculpture.

Author’s Information

Kaori Chino (1952-2001) was a former professor at Gakushuin University and a researcher in art history. After working as a researcher at the Tokyo National Museum, she moved to Gakushuin University and later became a visiting researcher at Harvard University in the United States. Her publications include "Art of the 10th-13th Centuries: The World of Dynastic Beauty" (Iwanami Shoten, the source text for this book), "'Japanese Art' and Gender" (edited by Shinobu Ikeda, Iwanami Gendai Bunko), "Painting as Fiction" (co-edited, Pelican-sha), and "Woman? Japan? Beauty?" (co-edited, Keio University Press), among others.