A Bibliography of books on Japan

 

ART

 

Addiss, Stephen. Japanese Ghosts & Demons: Art of the Supernatural. George Braziller (2001). ISBN 0807611263

The art is Edo period woodblock prints, however, it provides a good overview of the folklore which inspired it.

 

Anderson, Charlotte & Vilhar, Gorazd. Matsuri: World of Japanese Festivals. Shufu No Tomo-Sha (1995). ISBN 4079760663

Beautiful photo essay of festival celebrations, people and costumes.

 

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Asian Games: The Art of Contest. Asia Society (2004).  ISBN 0878480994

This lavish exhibition publication describes a variety of games from all over Asia.

 

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Japanese Masterworks from the Price Collection. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (2007). ISBN 093468605X

Mostly Edo period and later, but it was a terrific exhibition, so I bought the companion book.

 

Baten, Lea. Playthings and Pastimes in Japanese Prints. Weatherhill (1995). ISBN 0834803445

Edo-period woodblock prints depicting games and play.

 

Buisson, Dominique & Macdonald Elizabeth. The Art of Japanese Paper : Masks, Lanterns, Kites, Dolls.  Diane Publishing Company (1999). ISBN 0788160591

Photo essays on a variety of traditional paper crafts.

 

Hauge, Victor & Takako.  Folk Traditions in Japanese Art  Kodansha America, Inc. (1979). ISBN 0870113607

 

Hempel, Rose. The Heian Civilization of Japan. Phaidon (1983), ISBN 0714822957.

Phaidon is renowned for its art publications. Extensive text accompanied by plenty of good color plates describe the Heian aesthetic.

 

Hickman, Money L. Japan’s Golden Age: Momoyama. Yale University Press (2002). ISBN 0300094078

Originally published to accompany a museum exhibition, it features paintings, textiles, lacquer, armor and other 16th and early 17th century works.

 

Hutt, Julia & Alexander, Helene. Ogi: A History of the Japanese Fan. Dauphin Publishing, LTD. (1992). ISBN 1872357083

The title says it all. Much of the contents post-dates 1600, but it provides a good overview. Start here, then begin combing other art books and websites for period fans and fan paintings.

 

Japan Society. From the Suntory Museum of Art-Autumn Grasses and Water: Motifs in Japanese Art. Japan (1983). ISBN 0913304174

Textiles, paintings, ceramics and a stunning collection of lacquers, many from before 1600.

 

Japan Society. Japanese Theatre In The World. Japan Society (1997). ISBN 913304441

Kakudo, Yoshiko. Art of Japan. Chronicle Books (1991). ISBN 0811800407
Put out by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, featuring works from its permanent collection.

Metropolitan Museum of Art. Momoyama, Japanese art in the age of grandeur. Metropolitan Museum of Art (1975). ISBN 0870991256

Exhibition catalogue from the mid 70's, mostly in B&W.

Murase, Miyeko. Bridge of Dreams: The Mary Griggs Burke Collection of Japanese Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art (2000). ISBN 0810965518

Murase, Miyeko; Nakahashi, Gratia Williams & Wada, Stephanie. Jewel Rivers: Japanese Art from the Burke Collection. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (1994).

ISBN 0917046358

 

Noma, Seiroku. The Arts of Japan, Vols. 1 & 2. Kodansha International (1966), ISBN 0870113356 and 0870113364.
A classic overview of Japanese art in two volumes.

 

Okudaira, Hideo. Emaki: Japanese Picture Scrolls. Charles E. Tuttle Co. (1962).
Excerpts of narrative picture scrolls, many dating from before 1600.

 

Rosenfield, John M. The Japanese Courtier: Painting, Calligraphy, and Poetry from the Fogg Art Museum. Santa Barbara Museum (1980). ISBN 0899510353

 

Smith, Bradley. Japan: A History In Art Gemini-Smith; Revised edition (1964). ISBN 0385032404

A nice introduction to Japanese history through its art.

 

Tokugawa, Yoshinobu & Okochi, Sadeo. The Tokugawa Collection: No Robes and Masks. Japan Society (1976). ISBN 0913304085

Impressive presentation of Noh costumes and masks from the Tokugawa Collection. Noh costumes represent a significant number of surviving period garments. Well worth a look if one is interested in either theatre or period clothing styles.

 

Woodson, Yoko, et. al. Lords of the Samurai: Legacy of a Daimyo Family. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (2009). ISBN 9780939117475
Exhibition publication to accompany the San Francisco showing of art and artifacts of the Hosokawa family from the feudal period through modern times. Includes textiles, arms and armor, ceramics and other material culture.

 

Wyatt, James C. Y. & Ford, Barbara Brennan. East Asian Lacquer The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection. Metropolitan Museum of Art (1991).

The title is self explanatory. Picked it up for cheap remaindered as it had some nice examples of Japanese lacquer.

 

Yashiro, Yukio. 2000 Years of Japanese Art. Harry N. Abrams, Inc (1959). ASIN B001F3ERYQ

Large format overview of Japanese art.

 

HEIBONSHA SURVEY OF ART SERIES:

This and the Arts of Japan series were put out in the 1970s by the same publisher. They average 150 pages in length with B&W and color plates and informative texts in English by Japanese authors.

 

Doi, Tsygiyoshi. Momoyama Decorative Painting (Vol. 14 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1977). ISBN 0834810247

 

Fukuyama, Toshio. Heian Temples Byodo-In and Chuson-Ji (Vol. 9 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art).   Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1976). ISBN 0834810239

 

Hayashi, Ryoichi. The Silk Road and the Shoso-in (Vol. 6 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1975) ISBN 0834810220


Ienaga, Saburo. Painting in the Yamato-E Style (Vol 10 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1973). ISBN 0834810166

 

Mikami, Tsugio. The Art of Japanese Ceramics (Vol. 29 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1979). ISBN 083481000X

 

Muraoka, Kageo & Okamura Kichiemon. Folk Arts and Crafts of Japan (Vol. 26 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1973). ISBN 0834810093

 

Noma, Seiroku. Japanese Costume and Textile Arts (Vol.16 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1974) ISBN 0834810263

 

Okamoto, Yoshitomo. Namban Art of Japan. Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1972). ISBN 0834810085

 

Yamane, Yuzo. Momoyama Genre Painting (Vol. 17 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1973) ISBN 0834810123

 

Yoshikawa, Itsuji. Major Themes in Japanese Art (Vol.1 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1976). ISBN 0834810034

 

 

ARTS OF JAPAN SERIES:

Kageyama, Haruki. The Arts of Shinto (Vol. 4, Arts of Japan). Weatherhill/Shibundo (1973). ISBN 0834827077

 

Mizoguchi, Saburo. Design Motifs (Vol. 1, Arts of Japan). Weatherhill/Shibundo (1973). ISBN 083482700X

 

Okudaira, Hideo. Narrative Picture Scrolls (Vol. 5, Arts of Japan). Weatherhill/Shibundo (1973). ISBN 0834827115

 

FOLK ART:

 

Buisson, Dominique & Macdonald Elizabeth. The Art of Japanese Paper : Masks, Lanterns, Kites, Dolls.  DIANE Publishing Company (1999). ISBN 0788160591

 

Hauge, Victor & Takako.  Folk Traditions in Japanese Art  Kodansha America, Inc. (1979). ISBN 0870113607

 

Muraoka, Kageo & Okamura Kichiemon. Folk Arts and Crafts of Japan (Vol. 26 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1973). ISBN 0834810093

 

DESIGN:

 

Allen, Jeanne. Designer’s Guide to Japanese Patterns 3. Chronicle Books (1987). ISBN 0877016062

 

Allen, Jeanne. Designer’s Guide to Samurai Patterns. Chronicle Books (1989). ISBN 0877017301

This and the title above are two small paperback collections of decorative patterns and motifs from a variety of Japanese sources. Unfortunately the identification of pattern souces is not terribly detailed. It helps to know what one is looking at.

 

D’Adetta, Joseph. Traditional Japanese Design Motifs. Dover Publications (1984). ISBN 0486246299

One of Dover's inexpensive "coloring book" publications.

 

Japan Society. From the Suntory Museum of Art-Autumn Grasses and Water: Motifs in Japanese Art. Japan (1983). ISBN 0913304174
Described above in the general art section.

 

Matsuya Company. Japanese Design Motifs. Dover Press (1972). ISBN 0486228746

Published in the 19th century by a dry goods company so that customers could order merchandise with their crests on it. No way to tell what periods they are from or who may have historically used such mon, but a nice place to get design ideas.

 

Orban-Szontagh, Madeleine. Japanese Floral Patterns and Motifs. Dover Publications (1990). ISBN 0486263304

One of Dover's inexpensive "coloring book" publications.

 

Mizoguchi, Saburo. Design Motifs (Vol. 1, Arts of Japan). Weatherhill/Shibundo (1973). ISBN 083482700X

 

PHOTO ESSAYS:

 

Anderson, Charlotte & Vilhar, Gorazd. Matsuri: World of Japanese Festivals. Shufu No Tomo-Sha (1995). ISBN 4079760663
A gorgeous collection of photos of people and places celebrating diverse Japanese festivals. Includes some particularly nice costume shots.

 

Keene, Donald. Living Japan. Doubleday (1962).

A black and white snapshot of Japan in the early 1960s.

 

 

GAMES AND PASTIMES:

 

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Asian Games: The Art of Contest. Asia Society (2004).  ISBN 0878480994

 

Baten, Lea. Playthings and Pastimes in Japanese Prints. Weatherhill (1995).

ISBN 0834803445

 

Malm, William P. Japanese Music and Musical Instruments. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1959).

 

Modegi, Masaaki. The Making of Japanese Kites. Japan Publications Trading Co., Ltd. (2007) ISBN 9784889962222

This recent publication contains excellent information on how to build a variety of Japanese kites.

 

Streeter, Tal. The Art of the Japanese Kite. Weatherhill (1974). ISBN 0834800888

 

INCENSE AND TEA:

 

Morita, Kiyoko. The Book of Incense. Kodansha International (1992). ISBN 4770015577
Pretty basic explanation of the art of incense to a non-Japanese audience.

 

Okakura, Kazuko. The Book of Tea. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1995). ISBN 0804800693

 

Sadler, A.L. The Japanese Tea Ceremony: Cha-No-Yu. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (2008). ISBN 4805309148

 

Tanaka, Seno. The Tea Ceremony. Kodansha International (1977). ISBN 0517530392

 

THEATRE:

 

Japan Society. Japanese Theatre In The World. Japan Society (1997). ISBN 913304441

 

Takeda, Sharon Sadako, et. al. Miracles and Mischief: Noh and Kyogen Theatre in Japan. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2002). ISBN 0875871887

It kills me I missed this exhibition by about a year because I didn't know better. This book is a sumptuous and informative banquet on Noh and Kyogen, with beautiful photographs of costumes, masks and props as well as detailed information on how they are used, what the plays are like and so forth. 

 

Tokugawa, Yoshinobu & Okochi, Sadeo. The Tokugawa Collection: No Robes and Masks. Japan Society (1976). ISBN 0913304085

More beautiful Noh costumes presented in a large format with lots of color plates.

 

Tourist Library. Japanese Noh Plays. Board of Tourist Industry, Japanese Government Railways (1934).

 This and the title directly below are part of a series of small, paperbound pamphlets in English marketed to tourists by the Japanese government.

 

Tourist Library. Japanese Drama. Maruzen Company (1935).

 

 

HISTORY:

 

Conlan, Thomas D. In Little Need of Divine Intervention: Takezaki Suenaga’s Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan. Cornell University East Asia Series (2001). ISBN 188544513X

Conlan discusses the Mongol Invasion scrolls and the Japanese side's level of preparedness for invasion.

 

De Bary, Wm. Theodore. Volume One Sources of Japanese Tradition From Earliest Times to 1600. Columbia University Press (2001). ISBN 0231121293

 

Hall, John Whitney. Japan From Prehistory to Modern Times. University of Michigan Center for Japanese Studies (1991). ISBN 0939512548

A general history text.

 

Lamarre, Thomas. Uncovering Heian Japan: An Archaeology of Sensation and Inscription. Duke University Press (2000). ISBN0822325187

Currently in my to-be-read pile.

 

Lidin, Olaf G. Tanegashima: The Arrival of Europe In Japan. NIAS Press (2002). ISBN 8791114128

Currently in my to-be-read pile, though the Google Books preview was highly promising. Contains translations of Japanese sources on the arrival of the Portuguese and the introduction of the matchlock musket.

 

Milton, Giles. Samurai William: The Englishman Who Opened Japan. Penguin (2002). ISBN 0142003786

An eminently readable account of the relationship between William Adams and Tokugawa Ieyasu, fictionalized by James Clavell in the novel Shogun.

 

Morris, Ivan. The World of the Shining Prince. Penguin (1985). ISBN 0140550836

A must-read look into daily life of the Heian court.

 

Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334. Stanford University Press (2007) ISBN 0804705232

 

Souryi, Pierre Francois. The World Turned Upside Down: Medieval Japanese Society. Columbia University Press (2001). ISBN 0231118422
A scholarly overview of Japan from the end of the Heian period through the Sengoku, which makes it darn near perfect for the SCA.

 

CHRONICLES:

 

Aston, W.G., translator. Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1972). ISBN0804836744

 

Perkins, George W., translator. The Clear Mirror: A Chronicle of the Japanese Court During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333). Stanford University Press (1998). ISBN 0804729530

 

Varley, H. Paul. A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinno Shotoki of Ktabatake Chikafusa. Columbia University Press (1980). ISBN 0231049404

 

DIARIES:

 

Bowring, Richard, translator. The Diary of Lady Murasaki. Penguin Books (1996). ISBN 014043576X

This official diary by the author of The Tale of Genji was instigated by her mentor, Fujiwara Michinaga. Political expediency notwithstanding, it provides insight into life in the Imperial household during the Heian period.

 

Hulvey, S. Yumiko, translator. Sacred Rites in Moonlight: Ben no Naishi Nikki. Cornell University East Asia Series (2005). ISBN 1885445229

Ben no Naishi was one of the guardians of the Imperial regalia. This 13th c. diary describes her official duties and preserves poetic exchanges with her Emperor.

 

Morris, Ivan, translator. As I Crossed A Bridge of Dreams. Penguin Books (1975). ISBN 014044292

 

Morris, Ivan, translator.  The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon. Columbia University Press (1991). ISBN 023107337
Heian mean girl Sei Shonagon wrote like a modern blogger. Entries veer from poetic to peeved to catty and back again. Probably my favorite diary.

 

Omori, Annie Shepley & Doi, Koichi. Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan. Houghton Mifflin, 1920. 

I'm a sucker for old books, even when there are more modern translations available. This 1920 edition contains the diaries of Murasaki Shikibu, Izumi Shikibu and the Sarashina diary (identified above as As I Crossed A Bridge Of Dreams).

 

Seidensticker, Edward, translator. The Gossamer Years (Kagero Nikki). Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1990). ISBN 0804811237

Sometimes referred to as "the whiny one," by Heian enthusiasts.

 

Whitehouse, Wilfrid & Eizo Yanagisawa, translators. Lady Nijo’s Own Story. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1974). ISBN 0804811172

Another diary from the Kamakura period, Nijo's story relates her personal relationships, particularly with Emperor Go Fukakusa. Reading this in tandem with Sacred Rites In Moonlight and The Clear Mirror is an interesting exercise, as all three are contemporaneous.

 

LITERATURE, POETRY AND TALES:

 

Carter, Steven D., translator. Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology. Stanford University Press (2003). ISBN 0804715629

 

Harris, H.J., translator. The Tales of Ise. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1972). ISBN 0804833389
Not tales so much as a string of poems.

 

Japanese Classics Translation Committee. 1000 Poems from the Manyoshu. Dover Publications. (2005) ISBN 0486439593

 

McCullogh, Helen, translator. Kokin Wakashu, with Tosa Nikki and Shinsen Waka. Stanford University Press (1996). ISBN 0804712581
Just acquired and on the to-be-read pile.

 

McCullogh, Helen, translator. The Tale of the Heike. Stanford University Press (2002). ISBN0804714185
Japan's medieval epic retells the events of the Genpei Wars.

 

Porter, William N., translator. The Tosa Diary by Ki no Tsurayuki. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1981). ISBN 080436957

 

Shikibu, Murasaki/Reichhold, Jane & Kawamura Hatsue, translators. A String of Flowers, Untied: Love Poems From The Tale of Genji. Stonebridge Press (2008). ISBN 1880656620
New translations of the poems from The Tale of Genji.

 

Shikibu, Murasaki/Tyler, Royall, translator. The Tale of Genji. Viking Penguin (2001). ISBN 0670030201

The two volume translation, copiously annotated for the modern reader.

 

Tyler, Royall. Japanese Tales. Pantheon Books (1987). ISBN 0375714510
A good collection of stories, many from before 1600, on a variety of subjects.

 

Ury, Marian. Tales of Times Now Past: Sixty Two Stories from a Medieval Japanese Collection. University of Michigan Center For Japanese Studies (1993). ISBN 0939512610

Another nice collection of early medieval Japanese stories.

 

Watson, Burton, translator. Po Chu I: Selected Poems. Oxford University Press (2000). ISBN 0231118384

Classic poetry of Tang Dynasty China.

 

Wu Cheng'en, Kherdian, David, translator. Monkey: A Journey To The West. Shambhala Classics (1992). ISBN 1590302583

An abridged translation of the 16th c. Chinese allegory about a supernatural simian trickster and his adventures.

 

RELIGION and FOLKLORE:

 

Addiss, Stephen. Japanese Ghosts & Demons: Art of the Supernatural. George Braziller (2001). ISBN 0807611263
See "Art" above.

 

Armstrong, Karen. Buddha. Penguin (2004). ISBN 9780143034360

A readable biography.

 

Aston, W.G., translator. Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. (1972). ISBN0804836744
An intimidating doorstop of a book with lots of footnotes. You're gonna need 'em.

 

Nelson, John K. A Year In The Life Of A Shinto Shrine. University of Washington Press (1997). ISBN 0295975008
On my to-be-read pile at the moment.

 

Tyler, Royall. Japanese Tales. Pantheon Books (1987). ISBN 0375714510
A very nice collection of stories, some religious, some secular, some supernatural.

 

Varley, H. Paul. A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinno Shotoki of Ktabatake Chikafusa. Columbia University Press (1980). ISBN 0231049404

 

 

COSTUME AND TEXTILES:

 

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Four Centuries of Fashion: Classical Kimono from the Kyoto National Museum. Asian Art Museum (1997). ISBN 0939117096

 

Dalby, Liza Crihfield. Kimono: Fashioning Culture. University of Washington Press (2001).

A study of the evolution of traditional Japanese dress by anthropologist Liza Dalby, also known for her work on geisha. The chapter on kasane no irome (the color combinations worn by women of the Heian court) is particularly valuable.

 

Hutt, Julia & Alexander, Helene. Ogi: A History of the Japanese Fan. Dauphin Publising, LTD. (1992). ISBN 1872357083

Kawamura, Machiko and Kurihara, Hiro. Jidai Ishô no Nuikata. Tokyo Genryu-sha Joint Stock Company (1984). ISBN 4773984058 (TEXT IS IN JAPANESE ONLY!)
The Holy Grail for Japanese costumers as it contains pattern schematics for a number of historical costumes. If you can convert metric to inches, you can get away without not being able to read the Japanese text.

Kennedy, Alan. Japanese Costume: History and Tradition. Editions Adam Biro (1990). ISBN 1-56852-034-4
Gorgeous, though not as complete as the title would lead one to believe. The concentration is on kosode, noh costumes and kesa.

Kuniharu, Goshima. The Tale of Genji: The Day of the Rokujyo-in.   Kyoto Costume Museum. ISBN 491609428 (TEXT IS IN JAPANESE ONLY!)
Life in Genji's palace as depicted in the Kyoto Costume Museum's "doll house" reproduction.

Matsumoto, Kaneo. Jodai Gire: 7th and 8th century Textiles in Japan from the Shoso-in and Horyu-ji. Shikosha Publishing (1984).
This bilingual edition features full color photos and extensive notes in English and Japanese on surviving early textiles in the Shoso-in Repository and the Horyu-ji temple collection.

Minnich, Helen Benton. Japanese Costume and the Makers of Its Elegant Tradition.  Charles E. Tuttle Co. (1963)
Don't trust an ukiyo-e print to accurately depict clothing from the Heian period. That said, it's not a bad overview of Japanese costume divided by historical era.

Noma, Seiroku. Japanese Costume and Textile Arts (Vol.16 Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art). Weatherhill/Heibonsha (1974). ISBN 0834810263

I go back to this great little book again and again. It's a great introduction to the development of textile decoration during the SCA period and after and I can't recommend it enough for helping one develop an eye for period styles.

 

Stinchecum, Amanda Meyer. Kosode: 16th-19th Century Textiles From The Nomura Collection. Japan Society/Kodansha International (1984). ISBN 0913304182

Lavish color plates of kosode preserved by an early 20th century collector. The appendices in the back provide excellent information on common silk weaves, what plants produce what color dyes, the difference in dimensions between a 16th c. kosode and a modern kimono, and an extensive glossary.

 

Takeda, Sharon Sadako, et. al. Miracles and Mischief: Noh and Kyogen Theatre in Japan. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2002). ISBN 0875871887

See notes under "Art," above.

 

Tokugawa, Yoshinobu & Okochi, Sadeo. The Tokugawa Collection: No Robes and Masks. Japan Society (1976). ISBN 0913304085

See notes under "Art," above.

Wada, Yoshiko Iwamoto; Rice, Mary Kellogg & Barton, Jane J. Shibori: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dyeing. Kodansha International (1999). ISBN 4770023995
This is an excellent introduction to the art of shibori, chockful of B&W and color photographs, plus instructions on how to replicate the various techniques.

Yang, Sunny & Narasin, Rochelle. Textile Art of Japan. Shunfunotomo Co. Ltd. (2000). ISBN 4889960619
A basic introduction with lots of pretty color photos. It has the virtue of being relatively easy to find.

Post-1600 AD Clothing:

Gluckman, Dale Carolyn & Takeda, Sharon Sadako. When Art Became Fashion: Kosode in Edo-Period Japan. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (1992).

 

Stevens, Rebecca A. T. & Wada, Yoshiko Iwamoto. The Kimono Inspiration: Art and Art to Wear In America. Pomegranate Books (1996). ISBN 0876545983

Kimono as palette, mostly modern art pieces. Can we say "eye candy?" I knew we could.

Copyright 2010, Lisa A. Joseph

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