Shinto: Discovery of the Divine in Japanese Art

A central feature of Japanese culture for many centuries, the veneration of kami deities—a practice often referred to as Shinto—has been a driving force behind a broad swath of visual art. Focusing on the Heian period (795–1185) through the Edo period (1615–1868), this generously illustrated volume brings the rich Shinto artistic tradition to life through works of calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts. Thematic essays authored by both American and Japanese scholars explore different dimensions of kami veneration and examine the significance of these objects—many of which have never been seen outside of Japan—in Shinto ceremonies.

Authors

Sinéad Vilbar is curator of Japanese art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Kevin Gray Carr is associate professor in the History of Art Department at the University of Michigan. Shimizu Ken is curator of decorative arts and head of decorative arts and archaeology, Taniguchi Kosei is curator of painting and head of education, and Iwata Shigeki is curator of sculpture and head of the Art Division, all at the Nara National Museum, Japan.