Japan a History in Art by Smith, Bradley; Introduction To The History Of Japan, Marius B. Jansen; Introduction To The Art Of Japan, Nagatake Asano; - 1964

New York: Simon & Schuster. Fine in Good dust jacket. 1964. First Edition; Second Printing. Hardcover. This beautiful and unique book presents the history of Japan through twenty centuries - as seen, remembered, and recorded by her artists. The Japanese vision of life, in its richness, delicacy and complexity of pattern, is captured and clarified as never before. Japan's history is projected not only through a brilliant historical narrative, but through an unprecedented array of art treasures newly photographed in color in Japan's museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and private collections, including that of the Imperial Household. Most of the 237 works of art have never been seen outside Japan. Many of them, fragile and priceless, have never been available even in Japan, except to accredited scholars. All 237 plates in this book are reproduced in six-color lithography from new color photographs taken especially for this book. Each work is faithfully reproduced, unretouched, in full color. Each was chosen as a storytelling "panel" in a vast, dramatic, historical panorama that encompasses the rise and fall of dynasties, the sweep of religious and political movements, the flowering of the arts, and the minutiae of daily life both humble and princely. Tis volume is bound in brown buckram with large gold Japanese characters on the front, and the title on the spine. All in perfect condition. The back bottom corner has some wear to it. The endpapers are decorated in textured gray and black paper. Each period, starting with the Archaic Period, begin with a delicate half page, usually in gemstone colors, sometimes textured or otherwise decorated. Each has large characters on it in black. At the end is The Works of Art, which follow the book, and provide more information on each piece. The dust jacket has wear at the top end and at the top of the front and back. There is some wear at the top front around the flap, and more wear at the back area around the flap. There is a 1" piece missing on the back near the spine top. At the bottom back there is a 2" tear, but most of the paper is still there. Also noted is a 1/4" x 1" tear in a black area where the outside (black) paper is missing, but the inside is mostly there. The bottom has a few tiny chips. A 3/8" tear in the front top is noted along with shelfwear along the bottom front. Most will be repaired. ; Color Photographs; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 295 pages .