Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) by Donald Keene
Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) by Donald Keene PDF, ePub eBook D0wnl0ad
Frog in the Well is a vivid and revealing account of Watanabe Kazan, one of the most important intellectuals of the late Tokugawa period. From his impoverished upbringing to his tragic suicide in exile, Kazan's life and work reflected a turbulent period in Japan's history. He was a famous artist, a Confucian scholar, a student of Western culture, a samurai, and a critic of the shogunate who, nevertheless, felt compelled to kill himself for fear that he had caused his lord anxiety.
During this period, a typical Japanese scholar or artist refused to acknowledge the outside world, much like a "frog in the well that knows nothing of the ocean," but Kazan actively sought out Western learning. He appreciated European civilization and bought every scrap of European art that was available in Japan. He became a painter to help his family out of poverty and, by employing the artistic techniques of the West, achieved great success with his realistic and stylistically advanced portraits.
Although he remained a nationalist committed to the old ways, Kazan called on the shogunate to learn from the West or risk disaster. He strove to improve the agricultural and economic conditions of his province and reinforce its defenses, but his criticisms and warnings about possible coastal invasions ultimately led to his arrest and exile.
Frog in the Well is the first full-length biography of Kazan in English, and, in telling his life's story, renowned scholar Donald Keene paints a fascinating portrait of the social and intellectual milieus of the late Tokugawa period. Richly illustrated with Kazan's paintings, Frog in the Well illuminates a life that is emblematic of the cultural crises affecting Japan in the years before revolution.
From reader reviews:
Alta Valentin:
Do you have favorite book? If you have, what is your favorite's book? Book is very important thing for us to find out everything in the world. Each reserve has different aim or goal; it means that book has different type. Some people experience enjoy to spend their time to read a book. They may be reading whatever they have because their hobby is reading a book. Think about the person who don't like studying a book? Sometime, particular person feel need book if they found difficult problem or even exercise. Well, probably you should have this Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives).
Thomas West:
The book Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) can give more knowledge and information about everything you want. Why then must we leave a good thing like a book Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives)? A number of you have a different opinion about reserve. But one aim in which book can give many info for us. It is absolutely correct. Right now, try to closer with the book. Knowledge or details that you take for that, you are able to give for each other; it is possible to share all of these. Book Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) has simple shape but you know: it has great and massive function for you. You can search the enormous world by wide open and read a publication. So it is very wonderful.
Dwight Ambrose:
Often the book Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) will bring that you the new experience of reading the book. The author style to elucidate the idea is very unique. In case you try to find new book you just read, this book very ideal to you. The book Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) is much recommended to you to see. You can also get the e-book in the official web site, so you can easier to read the book.
Read Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) by Donald Keene for online ebook
Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) by Donald Keene Free PDF d0wnl0ad, audio books, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good books, online books, books online, book reviews epub, read books online, books to read online, online library, greatbooks to read, PDF best books to read, top books to read Frog in the Well: Portraits of Japan by Watanabe Kazan, 1793-1841 (Asia Perspectives) by Donald Keene books to read online.
No comments:
Post a Comment