Art Lover’s Guide to Japanese Museums
Yale University Press
Wow!
I love Japan, Japanese art and Japanese museums but I did not expect such a quality book - in both content, and physical quality. Not unlikely the quality standards one is used to when it comes to Japanese emissions, the guide is an experience that starts with the high quality and texture of the paper and binding as well as the fact that it is a superb reference guide to the very many fine museums, all throughout Japan.
Anyone who has had the fortune to visit Japanese museums would attest that most of them play a league above what you can see in the west, however, the intricate and often rich collections make it at times hard to navigate them, especially when it comes to shodo calligraphy, museums solely dedicated to flower arranging and the printing on woodblocks, lacquerware, tea ceremony events and what is by Westerners often perceived as fringe activities like the appreciation of incense and kabuki.
The Art Lover's Guide to Japanese Museums acts as many things - a cleverly put together personal guide, a trusted companion for explorations and a reference that is easy to access and a resource that will prove to be essential for both the uninitiated first-time visitor as well as the hardcore Japanese art aficionado.
While my sight has been firmly set on visiting Naoshima island to visit Benesse House and explore the individual other museums, having been introduced to the Art Lover’s Guide to Japanese Museums added quite a few pit stops in between that have instantaneously become integral to my bucket list of art spaces to visit.
A beautiful guide that will be used frequently.
