Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A jewel-like collection of the most exquisite cherry blossoms in Japanese art celebrates the enduring power of spring. Drawn from the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian's museums of Asian art, these rare reproductions of gilded screens, woodblock prints, and ink on silk works offer sublimely rendered buds and blooms for all who cherish them. Since the eighteenth century, parties in Japan, from royal maidens to farmers, have gathered to view cherry trees, an essential symbol of the cycle of life. The flowers feature prominently in Japanese art; magnificent renderings by masters including Hiroshige and Hokusai show serene blossoms among tall evergreens, at the epicenter of national celebrations, or as surreal showers of petals. In 1912, Japan gifted more than 3,000 of these trees to Washington, D.C., as a symbol of friendship between nations. Today, we celebrate cherry blossom festivals across the United States and the world and see our cities framed by blossoming branches that herald spring. Text by the Freer-Sackler s senior curator of Japanese art James T. Ulak explores this flowering tree s timeless appeal and deep-rooted symbolism.
In association with the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
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About the Author
A jewel-like collection of the most exquisite cherry blossoms in Japanese art celebrates the enduring power of spring. This joyous collection of cherry blossoms, drawn from one of the worlds finest collections of Japanese art, celebrates the universal pleasure of spring. Richly illustrated with examples from grand screens, woodblock prints, and ink on silk, Cherry Blossoms offers exquisitely rendered buds and blooms for all who cherish them.Since the eighteenth-century, elaborate parties of royal maidens and farmers alike have gathered to view the cherry trees, an enduring symbol of the cycle of life in Japan. The flowers feature prominently in Japanese art—magnificent gilded screens show serene blossoms floating majestically among tall evergreens, and in one charming vignette a group of soldiers stop in their tracks as they ascend a mountain path to a temple, overwhelmed by the surrounding pink petals. Japanese cherry trees have inspired artists and poets and were gifted to Washington, D.C., as a symbol of friendship between nations. Today, we celebrate cherry blossom festivals across the United States and worldwide and see our cities framed by the blossoming branches that herald spring. The reproductions featured in this book are accompanied by text from senior curator of Japanese art James T. Ulak, exploring this flowering trees timeless appeal and symbolism.