Description
Discover the captivating world of Quaint, Exquisite, a stunning exploration of Japan's influence on Western aesthetics during the Victorian era. Authored by Grace Lavery, this scholarship-rich volume presents a unique lens on the cultural exchange that blossomed when trade with Britain opened up in the 1850s. Recognized as the Winner of the NAVSA Best Book of the Year, this trade paperback from Princeton University Press delves deep into how Japan was perceived as both a rival empire and a repository of unparalleled beauty.
In this essential read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, Lavery leverages a diverse array of methodologies—drawing from philosophy, psychoanalysis, and queer theory—to articulate a fresh perspective on aesthetic experience in modernity. Each chapter unfolds intriguing cultural narratives surrounding Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado and the evolution of haiku in English literature, while also resurrecting lesser-known voices like those of Winnifred Eaton and Mikimoto Ryuzo.
An engaging inquiry into the materiality of art, the book also investigates significant artifacts, including W. B. Yeats's beloved katana and exquisite 'Japanese vellum' editions of Oscar Wilde. Ornately woven with critical insights, Quaint, Exquisite challenges readers to rethink beauty as both a conduit of intimacy and a vessel of cultural significance. Embrace the alluring beauty of East-West cultural relationships through this indispensable scholarly work that redefines conventional wisdom and fosters a deeper appreciation of aesthetic ideals.
In this essential read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, Lavery leverages a diverse array of methodologies—drawing from philosophy, psychoanalysis, and queer theory—to articulate a fresh perspective on aesthetic experience in modernity. Each chapter unfolds intriguing cultural narratives surrounding Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado and the evolution of haiku in English literature, while also resurrecting lesser-known voices like those of Winnifred Eaton and Mikimoto Ryuzo.
An engaging inquiry into the materiality of art, the book also investigates significant artifacts, including W. B. Yeats's beloved katana and exquisite 'Japanese vellum' editions of Oscar Wilde. Ornately woven with critical insights, Quaint, Exquisite challenges readers to rethink beauty as both a conduit of intimacy and a vessel of cultural significance. Embrace the alluring beauty of East-West cultural relationships through this indispensable scholarly work that redefines conventional wisdom and fosters a deeper appreciation of aesthetic ideals.