Page 20 - Edo: Art in Japan, 1615–1868

N O T E S T O Dimensions are given in centimeters, Most Japanese terms are italicized Japanese historical periods and
followed by equivalent inches in and defined the first time they eras mentioned in this catalogue
T H E R E A D E R
parentheses. Height precedes v/idth; appear in each section and are set include:
width precedes depth. For screens in roman type thereafter. Words that
Nara period 710-794
and hanging scrolls, image size is have entered the English language
Enryaku era 782-806
given whenever possible, not the (shogun, daimyo) are not italicized.
Heian period 794-1185
overall size of the object.
Some terms that appear frequently Kamakura period 1185 -1333
For pairs of screens illustrated on the include: Nanbokuchó period 1336-1392
same page, the right screen appears Muromachi period 1392 -1573
chônin (townspeople): artisans and
above the left. Momoyama period 1573 -1615
merchants of the city
Keichó era 1596-1614
With the exception of the frontmatter,
inrô, netsuke, and ojime: small con- Edo period 1615-1868 19
Japanese personal names appear
tainer (inrô) once used to carry Kan'ei era 1624-1644
in traditional order: surname first,
seals and seal paste, and later medi- Kanbun era 1661-1673
followed by given name.
cines, worn suspended by a cord Enpó era 1673-1681
Illustrations of exhibited works of and toggle (netsuke) from the sash Genroku era 1688-1704
art are interspersed throughout the used to secure a kimono; the ends Hóei era 1704-1711
text, generally shared between the of the cord pass through a bead Tenpó era 1830 -1843
object entries and the essay that (ojime) (see cats. 38-47) Meiji period 1868-1912
immediately precedes them; a selec-
fcami: spirits or deities in the Shinto
tion is also included in the historical The initials of contributing authors
religion believed to be present in all
essay that begins on page 22. All are given at the end of individual
aspects of nature
works are identified in captions by catalogue entries:
catalogue number. kosode ("small sleeves," meaning
JTC John T. Carpenter
narrow wrist opening): predecessor
Texts of essays and entries are inte- HG Hollis Goodall
of the modern kimono; includes
grated, with individual objects dis- VH Victor Harris
furisode ("swinging sleeves"), with
cussed specifically in the entries and MM Matthew McKelway
long hanging sleeves and small wrist
in broader contexts in the essays. NCR Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere
openings, and katabira, unlined
For instance, a portrait of the priest- RTS Robert T. Singer
summer kosode
calligrapher Jiun Onkó and two of HDS Henry D. Smith II
his works are discussed in the entries makie: technique of decorating SST Sharon S. Takeda
(cats. 127 -129), while an extensive lacquerware by sprinkling metallic MT Melinda Takeuchi
biographical account can be found powder, usually gold, onto damp
in the accompanying essay (pages lacquer to create luxurious effects,
214-217). including smooth (hiramakie) and
high-relief (takamakie) surfaces
meishoe: paintings and prints of
famous sites in Japan, including
places of natural beauty, important
cities, and architectural landmarks

Tôkaidô: ancient highway from Edo
to Kyoto along the Pacific coast, with
post towns offering goods and ser-
vices for the convenience of travelers
ukiyoe ("pictures of the floating
world"): paintings and prints of the
entertainment districts, including
portraits of kabuki actors and
courtesans and views of the pleasure
quarters; best known in the West
through woodblock prints

Opposite: detail of Occupations and Activities of Each Month (cat. 88)