The first book to analyze and survey the extraordinary arts of this vast region by material. Throughout history, the beauty and value of the arts of Asia have been derived largely from the exquisite quality of the natural materials from which they are crafted. Materials have spiritual significance in the Asian cultures that use them, and the art is often born from that significance. For instance, jade, because of its hardness and durability, has long been associated with immortality in China, while bamboo, which bends and sways in the strongest winds, symbolizes flexibility in East Asian cultures. Many of the materials that are most often used in Asia were actually discovered, invented, or first worked there, and they pervade every aspect of life—practical, religious, and artistic. Often materials are not what they seem to a Western eye. "Rice" paper is made from mulberry wood pulp; jade is not carved—it is too hard—but abraded. Lacquer, now used for luxury decorations, was originally a protective coating on food vessels. Ten chapters, illustrated with over 400 photographs, are devoted to the most significant materials: jade, silk, porcelain, lacquer, ivory, bamboo, paper, gold, wood, and stone. Each chapter is divided into three main sections: the characteristics of the material, its historical and social significance, its etymology, and its associated legends; the techniques by which it is transformed into art objects; and, country by country, the principal artistic styles used throughout Asia. Complete with details of museums with major collections and of where to buy Asian art, and photographs of Asian art used in contemporary interior design, this book will not only serve the needs of the ever-growing number of collectors but also be seen as required reading for any student of Asia and its cultures. Featuring work from: Afghanistan, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. Over 400 color illustrations.

The Arts of Asia: Materials, Techniques, Styles

Arts & Photography

McArthur, Meher

History & Criticism

Thames&Hudson

McArthur is curator of East Asian art at the Pacific Asian Museum, Pasadena, California. Here she offers a basic introduction to Buddhist iconography and symbolism without delving into the intricacies of the religion itself or providing a chronological or geographical survey of the vast body of art associated with Buddhism. The many illustrations are monochrome. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols

This beautiful origami art book is a collection of the best contemporary pieces from some of the worlds most renowned papercraft artists. Thanks to pioneering masters such as Dr. Robert J. Lang, origami has transcended its humble roots as a traditional Japanese papercraft to take its place among the global fine arts. In Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami, Dr. Lang and Asian art curator Meher McArthur chronicle origami's remarkable evolution and showcases the widespread applications of paper folding solutions in the fields of contemporary mathematics, engineering, design, and the international peace movement. Based around a groundbreaking museum show by the same name, Folding Paper features the work of more than forty leading origami artists from around the world. It traces the development of paper folding in both the East and the West, recognizing the global influences on this international art form. Now in the early twenty-first century, origami is a sophisticated fine art form consisting of many different styles, from representational to geometric, abstract, and even conceptual. It has become a symbol of peace, an inspiration for engineers, and a conduit for scientific advancement. Featured origami artists include:<ul>
<li> Brian Chan</li>
<li> Erik Joisel</li>
<li> Erik and Martin Demaine</li>
<li> Tomoko Fuse</li>
<li> Daniel Kwan</li>
<li> Michael LaFosse</li>
<li> Jeannine Moseley</li>
<li> Akira Yoshizawa</li>
</ul> Combining Dr. Lang's and McArthur's illuminating narrative history with lavish color photographs of more than sixty breathtaking works—from Joel Cooper's haunting Cyrus mask to Linda Tomoko Mihara's delicate Crane Cube to Eric Joisel's lifelike Pangolin model—Folding Paper is an enthralling introduction to the contemporary art of paper folding.

Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami: Featuring Origami Art from Some of the Worlds Best Contemporary Papercraft Artists

Lang, Robert J.

Collections, Catalogs & Exhibitions

Tuttle+publishing

**Winner of the 2017 Florence Temko Innovation Award** This origami art book features the work of 25 contemporary master folders who are among the most innovative origami artists working today. They are pushing the boundaries of origami vigorously in new directions concerning style, scale, materials, subject and scope. This elite group includes:<ul>
<li> Joel Cooper</li>
<li> Erik Demaine and Martin Demaine</li>
<li> Paul Jackson</li>
<li> Beth Johnson</li>
<li> Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander</li>
<li> Robert J. Lang</li>
<li> Linda Mihara</li>
<li> Bernie Peyton</li>
<li> Richard Sweeney</li>
<li> And many more…</li>
</ul>The stunning photos and brilliant essays in this book demonstrate why origami is now an international art movement—largely through the efforts and artistic genius of a few contemporary masters. The trailblazing efforts of Japanese artist Akira Yoshizawa elevated the paper folding to an art form by showing how subtle shapes and figures could be created from a single sheet of paper through a variety of non-traditional folding techniques. Artists in other parts of the world—including the United States, France, England, China and Scandinavia—took Yoshizawa's cue and pushed these techniques further and further. The result has been the emergence of many new and surprising sculptural forms created through methods such as wet folding, curved creasing, tessellating and the application of alternative materials besides paper. The stunning photography and interesting information on artists, exhibitions and inspirations, makes this the perfect coffee table book or gift for any art lover.

New Expressions in Origami Art: Masterworks from 25 Leading Paper Artists

The stunning photos and brilliant essays in this book demonstrate why origami is now an international art movement--largely through the efforts and artistic genius of a few contemporary masters. The trailblazing efforts of Japanese artist Akira Yoshizawa elevated paper folding by showing how subtle shapes and figures could be created from a single sheet of paper through a variety of non-traditional folding techniques.\nArtists in other parts of the world--including the United States, France, England, China and Scandinavia--took Yoshizawa's cue and pushed these techniques further and further. The result has been the emergence of many new and surprising sculptural forms created through techniques such as wet folding, curved creasing, tessellating and the application of alternative materials besides paper.\nThis book features the work of 25 contemporary master folders who are among the most innovative origami artists working today. They are pushing the boundaries of origami style, scale, materials, subject and scope in new directions.\nThis elite group includes: Joel Cooper Erik Demaine and Martin Demaine Paul Jackson Beth Johnson Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander Robert J. Lang Linda Mihara Bernie Peyton Richard Sweeney And many more!

New Expressions in Origami Art: Masterworks from 25 Leading Paper Artists (Tuttle Specials)

This delightful book is a colorful reminder of the many things that visual art can be, become, and do. Whether it's weaving or making pottery or working on your computer or turning junk into something unexpected and wonderful, An ABC of What Art Can Be is an invitation to look around and think creatively-outside the boring box. After all, A is for artist, creator of art, Making all sorts of things with the hands and the heart. The playful rhymes and dazzling collages are reminders that each of us is unique and can produce a work of art that's equally unique. In this lively book readers will find an ABC that's unlike any other. It includes four pages of "fun stuff"--easy-to-do activities inspired by the text and illustrations. Ages four and up.

An ABC of What Art Can Be

Children's Books

Arts, Music & Photography

J.paul Getty Museum

East Asian Books: China, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Java (Catalogue)

Miller, Bob

Fogg, Sam

Hsuan, Wei Chen

Paul Holberton Publishing

This book illustrates the collection of Japanese religious prints formed by Manly Palmer Hall, founder of the Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles. These prints represent the most systematically assembled part of his unique collection, arranged according to iconography.

Japanese Buddhist and Shinto Prints: From the Collection of Manly P. Hall (Sam Fogg)

An illuminating study of Confucius's philosophical and ethical teachings. Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, whose philosophies have shaped world culture. Often overlooked outside his native country, Confucius himself was a fascinating figure. A contemporary of Buddha, Confucius was outspoken and uncompromising man who revolutionized Chinese society nearly 2,500 years ago, when the country was merely a loose web of feudal provinces. No small feat for the illegitimate son of a retired soldier and a teenage concubine, who once received a prophecy from the local fortune-teller that she would give birth to a “throneless king.” Perhaps because of these humble beginnings, Confucius had a passionate belief in respect for others and this belief underpinned his life and teachings. He advised the emperors and kings of his day, gaining their respect and undying enmity along the way. he was equally proud of both achievements, saying that if the evil people of the world liked him, he was doing something wrong. Confucius established many ideas that are taken for granted today, from respecting one‘s parents to the Golden Rule, to virtue being its own reward. his theories became the foundation of one of the world‘s first civil services and established social structures throughout Asia that still exist today. 12 black-and-white illustrations

Confucius

Biographies & Memoirs

Professionals & Academics

Pegasus Books

Now in paperback, An illuminating portrait of Confucius’s life and philosophical teachings.
Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, a man whose philosophies have shaped world culture. Often overlooked outside his native country, Confucius himself was a fascinating figure. A contemporary of Buddha, Confucius was an outspoken and uncompromising man who revolutionized Chinese society nearly 2,500 years ago, when the country was merely a loose web of feudal provinces. No small feat for the illegitimate son of a retired soldier and a teenage concubine, who once received a prophecy from the local fortune-teller that she would give birth to a “throneless king.”
Perhaps because of these humble beginnings, Confucius had a passionate belief in respect for others and this belief underpinned his life and teachings. He advised the emperors and kings of his day, gaining their respect and undying enmity along the way. He was equally proud of both achievements, saying that if the evil people of the world liked him, he was doing something wrong.
In this enlightening portrait of a great man, the reader will discover how Confucius’s theories became the foundation of social structures throughout Asia that still exist today. 8 pages of black &amp; white illustrations

Confucius: A Throneless King

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

Pegasus

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