Written by Sebastian Izzard with an introduction by Joe Earle

At the close of Japan’s early modern era, Shibata Zeshin (1807—1891) brought the art of lacquering to unmatched levels of technical skill and creative invention. From an early age he not only applied himself to mastering the meticulous processes of traditional lacquering, but also set about acquiring a more general artistic and cultural education. In fact, he was at first better known as a painter than as a lacquer artist, and was catapulted to fame in 1840 by his depiction of the Ibaraki Demon.

Later in the 1840s, Zeshin invented daring new lacquer textures and finishes that mimicked rusty iron, rough seas, enameled porcelain, patinated bronze, or the delicate grain of Chinese rosewood. In the 1870s he also perfected the art of painting with black and colored lacquer on paper, an aspect of his work that is represented by many outstanding examples in the collection of Catherine and Thomas Edson.

Product Details:
Paperback,153 pages
San Antonio Museum Association (2007)
11.0 x 8.6 x 0.7 in