Beyond Zen: Japanese Buddhism Revealed

A compelling visual history of Japanese Buddhist art of the Edo, Meiji and Taisho periods and its appreciation in popular practices. This is a unique and fascinating visual history of Japanese Buddhist art largely dating from the Edo period (1600 1868) to the present day, through one of the finest collections in the USA. The richly-illustrated text offers a concise introduction to diverse Japanese Buddhist practices and the central role art plays in them. Showcasing over 130 ornate and gold leafed paintings, textiles, ceramics, and sculptures from the Newark Museum’s extensive collection of Japanese Buddhist art, this volume provides access to hitherto unpublished masterpieces. It is divided into five parts: Buddha, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas; Life and Death; Health and Wealth; Teachers and Students; and Tea Aesthetics and Implements. An essay, by guest author Dr. Ikumi Kaminishi of Tufts University, explores the tradition of illustrated storytelling (etoki) primarily performed by nuns in conjunction with painted narrative scrolls. Kaminishi accomplishes this through a detailed discussion of the Museum’s complete four painting set of the hagiography of Tokuhon (1758 1818) while posing a Buddhist reading of ukiyo the floating world . AUTHOR: Katherine Anne Paul is curator, Arts of Asia, Newark Museum, NJ. 155 colour illustrations