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Japonisme Books

JAPONISME STYLE

In the late 19th and early 20th century, France developed an enduring passion for Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Not only did this interpretation of Japanese culture — which became known as Japonisme — infuse fresh energy into French art and design, but it also radically transformed how Europeans, and subsequently the world, would come to understand visual culture. 

Until 1853, Japan had been closely guarded against foreign visitors for over two centuries. However, American Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed into Japan that year and initiated the first of its treaties with the United States and Europe, thereby opening its borders and giving the West its first-ever look at Japanese design. 

For the next few decades, taken with Japonisme, sophisticated collectors in Paris, New York and elsewhere gorged themselves on lacquered screens, celadon ceramics and netsuke ornaments, along with artworks depicting various aspects of Japanese life. The East Asian country’s influence on Europe, particularly France, contributed to one of the most creatively prosperous periods in history, leaving an imprint on the Impressionist, Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, and inspiring artists like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh as well as luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Japonisme emerged at the time when the ornate Renaissance Revival style was the most prominent mode of decorating in Europe, and Japanese aesthetics seemed strikingly modern and elegant in comparison. 

In addition to everyday practical objects from Japan, such as vases, tableware and decorative boxes, Japanese art, especially Japanese woodblock prints by masters of the ukiyo-e school, caught the eye of many artists — particularly those in the Art Nouveau poster community in 1880s Paris. The luscious organic colors associated with traditional Japanese design, motifs like cherry blossoms and carp and the vivid patterns found in woodblock prints, silks and more were adopted and appropriated by painters as well as ceramicists and those working in other fields of the decorative arts. Today, demand for Japanese lacquerware — furniture, trays, writing boxes, screens, incense burners — from the Edo period (1615–1868) and the late 19th century continues to be very strong among collectors.

Find a collection of antique Japonisme furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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Style: Japonisme
Quiet Beauty The Japanese Gardens of North America Book
Located in South Burlington, VT
Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America by Kendall H. Brown, author & David M. Cobb, photographer This extraordinary, award winning 176 page hard cover book details hist...
Category

20th Century North American Japonisme Books

Materials

Paper

The Peoples of North America, the Japanese Americans
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The peoples of North America, the Japanese Americans. Discusses the history, culture, and religion of the Japanese, factors encouraging their emigra...
Category

20th Century American Japonisme Books

Materials

Paper

Art Book Leonard Foujita Oeuvres 1949 - 1968
Located in Roma, IT
Art Book Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita (Fujita Tsuguharu; Tokyo, 27 November 1886 - Zurich, 29 January 1968) Texts Bernard Dorival Oeuvres 1949-1968 Èdition Nichido.
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1970s French Vintage Japonisme Books

Materials

Paper

Etoffes Japonaises Tissues Et Brochees Complete Folio of Fabric Designs
Located in Sharon, CT
A portfolio consisting of eighty (80) 16"x12" loose chromolithographs of the most beautiful Japanese fabric designs. Published by the Librairie Centrale des Beaux-Arts, Paris 1905.
Category

Early 20th Century French Japonisme Books

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Paper

Memoirs of a Geisha A Portrait of the Film By Peggy Mulloy 2005 Hardcover Book
By David James
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Memoirs of a Geisha A Portrait of the film by Peggy Mulloy · 2005 hardcover book. By David James (Photographs by), Peggy Mulloy (Text by), Rob Marshall (Introduction by), Arthur Gol...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Books

Materials

Paper

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The House and Garden Book of Classic Rooms, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
The House and Garden Book of Classic Rooms by Robert Harling, Leonie Highton, and John Bridges. Vendome Press, NY, 1990. First Edition hardcov...
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20th Century American Japonisme Books

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Grimm s Complete Fairy Tales
Located in Bradenton, FL
Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales with illustrations by Arthur Rackham. Hardcover, leather bound book with all gilt edge, published in 2008 by Barnes & Noble, 721 pages.
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From the Personal collection of Audrey Hepburn, Photo by Vincent Rossell, 1962
Located in Devon, GB
Audrey Hepburn on the set of 'Paris When it Sizzles,' Paris, 1962 by Vincent Rossell Vintage gelatin silver print Photographer's credit stamp, Audrey Hepburn collection stamp and numerical notations verso From the Personal Collection of Audrey Hepburn...
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Steel Canvas The Art of American Arms Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Steel Canvas The Art of American Arms Hardcover Book by Robert Lawrence Wilson.Wilson offers the first book on the extraordinary spectacle of America's ...
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Antique Nautical Historical Picture of the Ship Virgen De Africa Cadiz, 1917
Located in Milan, IT
Large black and white historical picture depicting the ship Virgen de Africa Cadiz, dated 1917. Original frame, 112 x 79 - inches 44 x 31. Good condition.
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From The Personal Collection of Audrey Hepburn, Photo by Vincent Rossell, 1962
Located in Devon, GB
Audrey Hepburn on the set of 'Paris When it Sizzles,' Paris, 1962 by Vincent Rossell Vintage gelatin silver print Photographer's credit stamp, Au...
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From the Personal Collection of Audrey Hepburn, Photo by Vincent Rossell, 1962
Located in Devon, GB
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Chair 500 Designs that Matter
Located in New York, NY
A compelling collection of the world’s most innovative, stylish, and influential chairs from across the globe Throughout history, the chair has presented designers the world over wi...
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2010s Chinese Japonisme Books

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Chair 500 Designs that Matter
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Located in New York, NY
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1902 The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe
Located in Bath, GB
A beautiful limited edition set of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe, illustrated with ten plates to each volume, and signed by t...
Category

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Materials

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1902 The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe
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Peggy Guggenheim Art of This Century Book
Located in New York, NY
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Japanese Prints by Gabriele Fahr-Becker Taschen 1999
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japanese Prints by Gabriele Fahr-Becker. The major section of the book consists of the 139 reproductions, grouped by artist, each accompanied by a detailed, sensitive commentary. Street scenes, lovers’ trysts, festivals, portraits of courtesans and actors, landscapes and travelogues - these are the motifs of the ukiyo-e print. The dominant theme, however, is woman’s beauty, the grace of her posture and attitudes, and the decorative aesthetics of her flowing garments. Amongst the most celebrated of the artists featured here are Utamaro, with his beautiful courtesans and geishas; Sharaku, with his portraits of actors on the kabuki stage; Hokusai, with his landscapes, among them the "36 Views of Mount Fuji...
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The Art of Arranging Flowers, A Complete Guide to Japanese Ikebana by Shozo Sat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Art of Arranging Flowers: A Complete Guide to Japanese Ikebana by Shozo Sato. Vintage 1965 1st Edition Mid Century Modern "The Art of Arranging Flowers" Japanese Ikebana Silk Covered Collector's Design Book. The beautiful monochrome variegated deep green silk cloth bound covering on the hardcover, gilt title on spine, gilt title and photographic illustration on front board, mounted plates in the text. The rare out of print 1st edition collector's book is published by Abrams in 1965, the book was printed in Japan with 366 pages of high quality premium paper stock. 1st edition - 1965 H. N. Abrams, Format: Hardcover 366 pages Published: January 1, 1968 by Harry N. Abrams Language: English This rare vintage 1965 first edition Mid Century Modern " The Art of Arranging Flowers : A Complete Guide to Japanese Ikebana " large format hardcover silk cloth bound collector's design book is an incredibly special collectors book to add to your library collection. Authored by Shozo Sato, this exquisite hardcover floral design book has stunning gorgeous full color hand tipped lithograph print photography plates of Japanese Modernist ikebana flower arrangements. It is accompanied with many pages of black & white photography and illustration with text of concepts, theory, guidelines, tools, and how to direction for creating masterful works of Japanese Modern floral designs. "The growing appreciation of Japanese Art and architecture in the West has extended to the Japanese way with flowers. This book is intended as a complete introduction to Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Beginning with the history and development of the art, and its place in Japanese culture, we introduce the reader to the eleven basic styles. Next comes a large section devoted to vases, materials, tools, and methods. Text and pictures explain how to keep flowers fresh, how to select and prepare both fresh and dried materials, and how to make the most effective use of them. Twelve lessons in creating arrangements in the moibana style follow. I have tried to make this the most carefully detailed and profusely illustrated guide of its kind, enabling the reder to create many beautiful arrangements while learning all the necessary techniques of the art. Finally, there is a section devoted to advanced techniques and designs, both classic and modern, and to the setting of mood. Appedixes suggest ways to keep cut flowers fresh, tell how to make effective arrangements from one's own garden flowers and what plant materials to combine, and describe the symbolism of plants and their enhancement. I hope the reader will find this book enjoyable to read, easy to understand, and fun to follow."--Preface. A large, heavy book (366 pages) featuring a complete guide to Ikabana. Great condition see last photo for binding in front Measures: 12" x 10" x 2" This book weights...
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Masterpieces from the Sanso Collection Japanese Paintings by Peter F. Drucker
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Masterpieces from the sanso collection: Japanese Paintings by Peter F. Drucker and Doris Drucker. Hardcover catalogue Book. Text in English and Japanese. Luxe edition. For over 3...
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Japan a History in Art, Book by Bradley Smith 1st Edition 1964
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japan; a history in art Book by Bradley Smith. Bradley Smith, Robert Kimmel Smith Simon and Schuster, Travel - 295 pages 1st edition 1st printing 1964. Place Of Publication New York Date Published 1964. Binding Hardcover Presents the history and cultural heritage of Japan through twenty...
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Quiet Beauty The Japanese Gardens of North America Book
Located in South Burlington, VT
Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America by Kendall H. Brown, author & David M. Cobb, photographer This extraordinary, award winning 176 page hard cover book details his...
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Japanese Style Suzanne Slesin, Stafford Cliff, Daniel Rozensztroch Design Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japanese style Suzanne Slesin, Stafford Cliff, Daniel Rozensztroch. Slesin and Cliff (French Style and English Style) with their coauthor and photograph...
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"Quiet Beauty The Japanese Gardens of North America" Book
Located in South Burlington, VT
Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America by Kendall H. Brown, author & David M. Cobb, photographer This extraordinary, award winning 176 page hard cover book details his...
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Japan Islands of the Rising Sun Hard Cover Book
Located in Garnerville, NY
Amazing color photographs and text by Erwin Feiger and Faubion Bowers. 158 full color photographs of the amazing people, architecture, landscapes and society. Printed and bound in We...
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Japonisme books for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Japonisme books for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage books created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme books made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original books, popular names associated with this style include and David James. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for books differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $1,250 while the average work can sell for $145.

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