Presented here are some of the world’s finest examples of Japanese art and design, from the Samurai and Edo periods up to high-tech contemporary design. The V&A has acquired Japanese objects since its earliest years and played a significant role in bringing the art of Japan to the attention of designers, manufacturers, and the public. This tradition continues today and this new book, fully updated and revised, showcases the V&A’s unparalleled collection. Ten chapters focus on subjects such as religion and ritual; military and aristocratic culture; the samurai; the highly aestheticized tea ceremony; Ukiyo-e and the graphic arts of the Edo period; and exchanges with the West and imperialism, right up to contemporary crafts and design.
