Japanese Modernisation and Mingei Theory: Cultural Nationalism and Oriental Orientalism (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780415405829)

Conceptualised in 1920s Japan by Yanagi S etsu, the Mingei movement has spread world wide since the 1950s, creating phenomena as diverse as Mingei museums, Mingei connoisseurs and collectors, Mingei shops and Mingei restaurants. The theory, at its core and its adaptation by Bernard Leach, has long been an influential 'Oriental' aesthetic for studio craft artists in the West. But why did Mingei become so particularly influential to a western audience? And could the 'Orientalness' perceived in Mingei theory be nothing more than a myth? This richly illustrated work offers controversial new evidence through its cross-cultural examination of a wide range of materials in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese, bringing about startling new conclusions concerning Japanese modernization and cultural authenticity. This new interpretation of the Mingei movement will appeal to scholars of Japanese art history as well as those with interests in cultural identity in non-Western cultures.

Author: Yuko Kikuchi
ISBN-10: 0415405823
ISBN-13: 9780415405829
Publisher: Routledge
Language: English
Published: 04/06/2006
Pages: 328
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.01lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.69d