Japonisme In Britain

Japan held a profound fascination for western artists in the latter half of the nineteenth century and the influence of Japonisme on western art was pervasive. Paradoxically, just as western artists were beginning to find inspiration in Japan and Japanese art, Japan was opening to the western world and beginning a process of thorough modernisation, some have said westernisation. The mastery of western art was included in the programme. This book examines the nineteenth century art world against this background and explores Japanese influences on four artists working in Britain in particular: the American James McNeill Whistler, the Australian Mortimer Menpes, and the 'Glasgow boys' George Henry and Edward Atkinson Hornel. Japonisme in Britian is richly illustrated throughout.

Ono examines cross-cultural artistic exchange between the West and Japan from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Studies of Japonisme have been dominated by searching out relationships of influence between artworks–trying to identify which specific works influenced a particular artist. Ono argues that a more holistic understanding of 'spillover effects' is necessary in fully comprehending the nuances of these relationships. She bases this argument on documents and works of art in the context of globalisation, looking at the relationships between James McNeill Whistler and others with their contemporaries in the Japanese artistic and literary worlds. This was a more complex two-way exchange than is often appreciated, with Western artists taking inspiration from (to them) new Japanese styles, while Japanese artists and writers were trying to craft a 'modern', more western-influences style to reflect the modern nation of Japan emerging onto the world stage after centuries of relative isolation. A fascinating analysis of the role of globalisation and cultural exchange in the development of new and hybrid artforms, that will be essential reading for scholars of this fascinating period in international art history.

Using interdisciplinary research and critical analysis, this book examines experiences through (or with) kimonos in Britain during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Bringing new perspectives to challenge the existing model of ‘Japonisme in fashion’ and introducing overlooked contacts between kimonos and people, this book explores not only fine arts and department stores but also a variety of theatres and cheap postcards. Putting a particular focus on the responses and reactions elicited by kimonos in visual, textual and material forms, this book initiates an entirely new discussion on the British adoption of Japanese kimonos beyond the monolithic view of the relationship between the East and West. This book will be of interest to scholars working in fashion studies, British studies, Japanese studies, design history and art history.

The book demonstrates the importance of Britain in the early dissemination of Japanese art in the West and analyses British reactions to Japanese art, both theoretical and artistic. This book differs from most others on Japonisme in that it deals with Britain rather than France and is concerned with an early period. It discusses design as well as fine art, gives the first comprehensive account of the debate among Victorian design theorists on Japanese art and utilises a wealth of little-known source material. It also proposes a radically new interpretation of Whistler's Japonisme.

This work examines the two-way bridge-building cultural exchange which took place between Britain and Japan in the years after 1859 and into the early years of the 20th century. Topics covered include: architecture; industrial design; prints; painting; and photographs.

A study of the influence of Japanese Meiji art on the Modern Art movement in the West with superlative examples drawn from the Khalili Collection

This book by a leading authority on Anglo-Japanese relations reconsiders the circumstances which led to the unlikely alliance of 1902 to 1922 between Britain, the leading world power of the day and Japan, an Asian, non-European nation which had only recently emerged from self-imposed isolation. Based on extensive original research the book goes beyond existing accounts which concentrate on high politics, strategy and simple assertions about the two countries’ similarities as island empires. It brings into the picture cultural factors, particularly the ways in which Japan was portrayed in Britain, and ambivalent British attitudes to race and supposed European superiority which were overcome but remained difficulties. It charts how the relationship developed as events unfolded, including Japan’s wars against China and Russia, and in addition looks at royal diplomacy, where the Japanese Court came eventually to be treated as a respected equal. Overall, the book provides a major reassessment of this important subject.