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Narrative picture scrolls (Arts of Japan #5)

Narrative picture scrolls (Arts of Japan #5)

$9.99 USD
$9.99 USD
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Condition: Very Good

Condition Notes: Contains minor shelf wear. Previous owners name written on front endpage.

Author(s): Hideo Okudaira
Edition: 1st Edition

Publication year: 1973

Publication date: 1973-01-01
Pages: 151
Binding: Paperback

Language: English

Publisher: Weatherhill - Shibundo

ISBN: 0834827115
Explore the vibrant history, unique techniques, and cultural value of emaki—the traditional horizontal handscrolls that dominated Japanese painting between the 10th and 16th centuries. 
The book highlights how these scrolls served as an early, dynamic form of visual storytelling, operating almost like a cinematic experience as viewers unrolled them from right to left. The volume breaks down the evolution of this artistic medium by looking at its structure, thematic genres, and artistic conventions:
  • The Mechanics of Emaki: Detailing how the physical format—combining alternate sections of written text (kotobagaki) and painted illustrations—required active physical interaction from the viewer, who would unroll only a couple of feet at a time to progress through the plot. 
  • Key Visual Conventions: Analyzing the specific artistic techniques developed by Heian and Kamakura period masters, such as fukinuki-yatai ("blown-away roofs") to look inside architectural spaces, and hikime-kagibana ("line-eye, hook-nose") to depict aristocratic faces with stylized, minimalist features. 
  • Masterpieces of Secular Literature: Examining celebrated adaptations of classic court romances and diaries, most notably the 12th-century Genji Monogatari Emaki (The Illustrated Tale of Genji), noting how composition and color palettes were used to reflect intense emotional states. 
  • Historical and Religious Narratives: Documenting how scrolls were utilized to broadcast military clashes (such as war chronicles), local folklore (setsuwa), Buddhist parables, and dramatic biographies of famous monks or shrines.
  • A Mirror of Japanese Society: Exploring how these illustrations provide modern historians with an invaluable visual archive of medieval daily life, detailing the clothing, houses, marketplace activities, and festival celebrations across different social classes.

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Book Condition Scale

  • Like New

    This book is in excellent condition and appears to have been read only once. The pages are clean and unmarked, with no creases or stains. The binding remains firm and tight. There may be minimal signs of shelf wear on the cover or dust jacket, but overall, the book looks and feels nearly new.

  • Very Good

    This book has been read but remains in great condition. It does not look new, yet there is no obvious damage to the cover. Wear and tear are minimal. The pages are clean, free of highlighting or notes, though it may contain identifying marks from a previous owner or bookstore.

  • Good

    This book shows moderate to heavy signs of wear that can include creases, stains or tears. The cover may have minimal damage, and the binding remains intact with slight wear. The majority of pages are undamaged, though there may be some highlighting, underlining, or notes. It may also contain identifying marks from a previous owner or bookstore.

  • Acceptable

    This book shows significant wear, which may include tears, large stains, creases, loose pages, and heavy notes, underlining, or highlighting. The binding may be loose but remains intact. While it has noticeable imperfections, it is still a complete and readable copy. Any major defects will be clearly noted in the listing.

  • As Is

    This book is visibly worn and may be heavily soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted. It may have loose joints, hinges, or pages, and some text or pages may be missing. Large tears and other significant defects may be present. While still a readable copy, it shows substantial signs of use. Any major flaws will be clearly noted in the listing.

  • Dust Jacket Grading

    (A) Excellent
    The dust jacket is in excellent condition, may show the slightest signs of shelf wear, if any.

    (B) Good
    Shows minor shelf wear, usually along edges and may have a few light stains.

    (C) Fair
    Displays moderate shelf wear, including some noticeable small tears, creasing and/or stains.

    (D) Poor
    Contains large tears, several creases, and/or heavy staining.

    (F) As Is
    Shows significant wear and tear. Majority of dust jacket is torn or missing. May contain heavy staining.