Pictures of the Floating World

<p>In Edo Japan, woodblock prints known as <em>ukiyo-e</em> ("pictures of the Floating World") captured the entertainment culture of the urban elite and eventually many other subjects as well. These beautiful prints were the result of a meticulous craft process, in which an artist's initial drawing was translated by expert carvers into multiple printing blocks for different colors.</p><p>In this attractive volume, Sarah E. Thompson, curator of Japanese art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, provides a highly readable overview of the cultural and artistic history of <em>ukiyo-e</em>, showcasing 120 exceptional prints from the museum's world-class collection, by masters including Utamaro, Hokusai, and Hiroshige. She explores each of the principal genres in turn: beauty and fashion, the kabuki theater, landscape, nature, history and literature, and fantasy.</p><p> <em>Pictures of the Floating World</em> features a traditional Japanese stab binding and is housed in a durable slipcase together with three remarkable prints, suitable for framing. It will be a must-have for all art lovers.</p>