SUNRISE ISLAND: A Story of Japan and Its Arts

A brief, illustrated survey of Japanese history, using episodes which have been depicted by that nation's artists, is augmented by complementary discussions of the major art forms -- lacquer, painted scrolls, printmaking, etc. -- and their relationship to Japanese customs. This is an intelligently conceived plan which is rendered effective through the tasteful selection of reproductions -- drawn for the most part from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (sponsor of the Art Entertainments lectures from which this volume is adapted). The size of the pictures -- too small to permit close examination of detail -- is a slight drawback; nevertheless, this is a pleasantly aesthetic approach to the study of Japan.