The art of twentieth-century Zen : paintings and calligraphy by Japanese masters /

The art of the Zen ("meditation") school of Buddhism is unburdened by the enormously rich and complex iconography and literature of other schools. Instead, it depends on the insights of individuals who achieved enlightenment and passed them on to others; this process produces another kind of art richness of unfettered human imagination (it should be noted that this has also had an undisciplined effect on many writings concerning Zen art). Zen art is defined by whether it was done by a Zen artist; or, to put it another way, "the focus shifts from the style or subject to the maker of the work." These themes are illuminated in this exhibition catalog through seven highly informative chapters covering 14 Japanese artists from early in this century to the present, with 90 plates of paintings and 28 complementary figures, most in excellent color. Zen and its art has managed to flourish through this century's travails and has attracted an international audience of practitioners and viewers, as it has the immediate appeal of the personality behind it and the impression of modern abstractions. Patrons will thank their libraries for acquiring it. General readers; undergraduates through faculty. J. O. Caswell University of British Columbia

Following a brief introduction to the historical development of Zen Buddhism in Japan and its characteristics in the 20th century, this exhibition catalog unfolds the personal journeys of 14 leading Japanese Zen masters expressing the Zen spirit in their teaching and their art. Appropriately illustrated with portraits of the masters and their calligraphy and paintings, mostly in full color, this book is a rich display of artistic variations on traditional Zen themes. One of very few titles on the subject, this is an important contribution to the study of Zen art and serves as a window on the Zen world for the Western audience. Seo teaches Japanese art and culture at the College of William and Mary; the exhibition will be touring the United States through the spring of 2000. Recommended for public and academic libraries as a welcome addition to Asian art collections.‘Lucia S. Chen, NYPL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.