Authoritative and wide-ranging visual essay on the aesthetics of Japan Unique handbook that aids an understanding of Japanese culture through its architecture, arts, crafts, cinema and literature Written by one of the worlds most respected specialists and scholars of Japanese art and culture This book gives an insight into the essence of Japanese culture, identifying its specific qualities and characteristics from Ukiyo-e to Tadao Ando Illustrated with over 150 images, both traditional and contemporary Gian Carlo Calza is Professor of East Asian Art History at the University of Venice, and Director of the International Hokusai Research Centre in Milan. He has published many books, exhibition catalogues and articles on Hokusai, and is currently preparing a catalogue raisonné of Hokusais paintings. He was awarded the 2004 Uchiyama Prize by the International Ukiyo-e Society of Tokyo for his contribution to the study of Japanese ukiyo-e (Floating World) culture.