Product Description
Art, politics and commerce are intertwined everywhere, but in China the interplay is explicit, intimate and elemental, and nowhere more so than in the film industry. Understanding this interplay in the era of market reform and globalization is essential to understanding mainland Chinese cinema. This interdisciplinary book provides a comprehensive reappraisal of Chinese cinema, surveying the evolution of film production and consumption in mainland China as a product of shifting relations between art, politics, and commerce. Within these arenas, each of twelve chapters treats a particular history, development, genre, filmmaker or generation of filmmakers, adding up to a distinctively comprehensive rendering of Chinese cinema. The book illuminates China's changing state-society relations, the trajectory of marketization and globalization, the effects of China's stark historical shifts, Hollywood's role, the role of nationalism, and related themes of interest to scholars of Asian studies, cinema and media studies, political science, sociology, comparative literature, and Chinese language. Contributors include Ying Zhu, Seio Nakajima, Zhiwei Xiao, Shujen Wang, Paul Clark, Stephen Teo, John Lent, Ying Xu, Yingjin Zhang, Bruce Robinson, Liyan Qin, and Shuqin Cui.-- --- -Ying Zhu is associate professor in the Media Culture Department at the College of Staten Island, the City University of New York. --Stanley Rosen is director of the East Asian Studies Center and a professor of political science at the University of Southern California.- ... Read more

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This fascinating edited collection of art historian Titus Burckhardt's most important writings on Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist art is lavishly illustrated with 140 superb examples of Oriental art, architecture, statuary, and painting. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A fine pick for any spiritual collection
Titus Burckhardt's FOUNDATIONS OF ORIENTAL ART & SYMBOLISM blends Oriental art history with cultural and spiritual insights, using Oriental art pieces to accompany important sacred writings selected from the Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist traditions. A lovely set of sacred art writings accompanied by these images makes this a fine pick for any spiritual collection.
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Part of the "Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art" series, this text is concerned with Japanese art from a world perspective. Other titles in the series include "Nara Buddhist Art" and "The Silk Road and the Shoso-in". ... Read more

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A survey of the fine and applied arts of Asia across a wide range of different media. The articles - current analyses, written by authorities in their fields - cover such subjects as: architectural ornament; carpets and textiles; masks; cave- and fresco-painting; ceramics; and metalwork. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Gods, demons, fish and geisha
I'm not a big fan of flash tattoos, but I know that they are the bread-and-butter for many tattoo shops and it is worth doing it right.

This book, "Asian Tattoo Flash," is a collection of 125 royalty-free designs with an Asian-theme.Some of the flash are actual Asian art, for example a Kuniyoshi samurai or two.Some are much more modern, like a series of "little ninjas."Most of the typical Asian elements are captured here, tigers and carp and dragons and phoenixes.The images are presented in a full-color version, along with a smaller line-drawing version that can be blown up and used as the cartoon for the tattoo.

There are several Chinese characters included as well, and what is nice is that they are in a calligraphic font which makes them more beautiful.Too many flash books use what is essentially typeface for their Chinese characters, which looks ridiculous.

A CD accompanies the book with all 125 images scanned at 300 dpi and saved as EPS vectors and JPEG files.The images are great quality, and could be printed right from the computer screen to hang on shop walls or put into a book.
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Product Description
Shares tantric secrets for deepening relationships, intimacy, and passion, and discusses harmony, communication, and healing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Looking for an intro to Tantric practice? look elsewhere...
Just a warning to those of you who may be looking for an introduction into the actual practice of Tantra...

This book is part of the "World of Art" series. It is very academic in nature, and can be quite dry. I must say that it would probably be a great asset for someone studying art history or history of religion. It is just NOT by any means a "how-to" manual, or an easy read.As the previous reviewer stated, it does not concentrate on the sexual/spiritual aspects of tantra.

Rawson delivers beauty where other books on Tantra fail.
It seems the term "tantric" has become a codeword for "kinky" in the titles and content of too many how-to books available to the Western reader.Perhaps this is because they focus almostexclusively on the titillating sexual rites and positions suggested byTantric practioners.By contrast, Rawson invites the reader to exploreinstead the subtle meanings, artistic values and philosophicalunderpinnings of the Tantric religion.Moreover, Rawson details theTantric fascination with death and mortality and its implications for ourunderstanding of God.This approach results in a more profoundunderstanding of the beauty and richness of the art and practices ofTantra, and gives us the proper perspective on--and perhaps a key toaccessing--the transcendent ecstasy sought by Tantric practioners.

Ifirst read this book as an undergraduate, at a time when I was eager tothrow off some of the Joycean "nets" of our western culture. Rawson showed me exactly where I should look for further inspiration.Ihave since found few books regarding Tantra that succeed so well inproviding a balanced and complete view of Tantric culture, in such asuccinct and finely illustrated volume.And do not misunderstand:this isnot a dry, academic accounting of some cultural curiosity.On thecontrary, Rawson communicates the vibrancy and vitality of the beliefs hedescribes.I found myself enthralled with this work, and Tantra ingeneral, because Tantra places such a high--and exciting--value on passion,sexual ecstasy, and transcendent experiences. An understanding of Tantramight be an ideal balm for the disillusioned Westerner looking to findsomething more than those answers available in the judeo-christian canon.Whether that be the case or no, this volume is an perfect place to startfor anyone interested in the art, practices, philosophy and beliefs ofTantra.And it is assuredly a better place to start than any book whosejacket promises some form of jump-start for your sex life--even if that iswhat you are seeking, after all. ... Read more

Product Description
This book offers a path-breaking analysis of the transformations that occurred in the art and aesthetic values of Bengal during the colonial and nationalist periods. Tapati Guha-Thakurta moves beyond most existing assumptions and narratives to explore the complexities and diversities of the changes generated by Western contacts and nationalist preoccupation's in art. She examines the shifts both in the forms and practices of painting as well as in the ideas and opinions about Indian art during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ... Read more

Product Description
Over the centuries, the exotic elegance of Asian art has been a source of fascination and inspiration gor artists and art lovers worldwide. This beautifully illustrated book explores the diversity of art and artefacts from around Asia, detailing the subjects depicted, the marerials used in their making, and the lives of the artists and artisans who created them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Surprising
I was not expecting much buying this book on a whim, but it is quite fascinating with stunning works of art. The book is laid out with a full color slide on the right page, and writing about the work on the left page. It shows examples of statues, painting, ceramics, casting, jewelry and more. This book is a introduction to the art of many Asian countries, beside India as is usual, but even as an avid collector I found the work interesting. Cannot really go wrong for the price, can be a great gift. ... Read more

Product Description
Shinjo Ito (1906-1989), founder of the Shinnyo-en stream of Buddhism, was one of Japan's most versatile Buddhist sculptors and an accomplished artist in fields as diverse as calligraphy and photography. Throughout his life, he created countless artworks as a way of giving form to his deeply held faith. In 1957, he produced what is probably his greatest milestone, the Great Parinirvana Image: a 16-foot (480 cm) long statue of Buddha Shakyamuni about to enter his final nirvana. The book is an inspirational testament to one of Japan's most significant modern religious artists. For the first time, this book fully reveals Shinjo's unique capacity to meld spirituality and artistry, as well as realism and interpretation. The work of Shinjo Ito can be admired for the artist's skill and the beauty of their execution, but Shinjo also created them to inspire and inform meditation and contemplation. ... Read more

Product Description
Pressure-point fighting-the practice of manipulating the body's vital nerve and reflex points for self-defense-offers the unique ability to neutralize attackers without causing any permanent harm. This intricate and temporarily devastating self-defense system has obvious advantages. What it hasn't had is a comprehensive guidebook from the Western perspective. Now martial arts expert Rick Clark offers all the fundamental pressure-point techniques-illustrated with hundreds of photographs and twenty-five detailed pressure-point charts-melding the ancient Asian knowledge with modern Western medicine and science. Here, at last, contemporary readers can learn to utilize this effective, reliable defensive art on their own terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

good reference
I purchased this book after i had the opportunity to partake in one of Mr. Clark's seminars. This book makes a good companion piece and reference to Mr. Clark's pressure point seminar, but i can see how it might not give the average reader much benefit. The drawings on the pressure points are kind of vague, and some of the photographs might be a bit hard to follow in sequence and see exactly where the action is taking place. For these reasons i gave it 3 stars. Now if you have sat through his class, then i would give this book 4.5 stars. Mr. Clark in person is very informed, teaches his methods with humor (and a bit of pain) and is able to show you exactly what you should be doing. I really enjoyed having the chance to train with him and would jump at the opportunity again. This book is therefore good for me in this instance because i had the benefit of seeing the moves firsthand, and i use the book as a refresher when the moves become hazy in my memory. pressure point fighting is like anything else, it takes lots of practice to be able to become accurate and some things are just easier to learn from another person rather than a book.

Book Is Good, Could Have Used More
This book will provide you with some information about pressure point fighting. I personally think that Mr. Clark could have put a little more information, as far as techniques. But there is still useful information for someone who is serious about learning pressure point fighting. You may have to re-read some parts of the book to get a full understanding of the information, but it isn't all that bad. I would recommend getting Bruce Tegner's book titled "Self Defense Nerve Centers and Pressure Points for Karate, Jujitsu, and Atemi Waza".

Pressure-Point Fighting: A Guide to the Secret Heart of Asian Martial Arts
I bought this book for my 27-year-old son who is very advanced in a form of Karate. His opinion is that the book is well layed out with good pictures to be able to visualize and hence further comprehend the theory. He is very pleased with it and is finding it very useful.

Sweet
It arrived to my destination within the allotted time period. I have found the book to be informative and I enjoyed the first couple of chapters that identified his thoughts about the arts and life. I found the book not as glamourous as other pressure point books and that for me was a good trait. I thought Rick Clark had some great things to say about the art in general.

A good read!!!
This is a great book that covers a lot of information of pressure points and how it can relate to most styles.It breaks down some of the well known katas and puts them into good applications. The one thing I liked about this book was the first part that went through "Core Principles"--ie.Lateral thinking, out of the box thinking etc... One review that I read about this book seems to take a personal jab at this author.This to me is ashame because as an experienced martial artist that type of verbage is unprofessional and disrespectful to anyone. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Another in the Abbeville's Tiny Folios series, this littlebook is a real gem. The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of theworld's most beautiful and comprehensive collections of Japanesewoodblock prints in the world. Clarence Buckingham, of the famedChicago family, donated 12,000 prints alone. The book covers thisexquisite collection of work from the 17th to 19th centuries in foursections: Primitives, Courtesans, Actors, and Landscapes. It includeswork by well-known masters such as Hiroshige, Hokusia, and Utamaro, aswell as lesser-known talents such as Shun'ei, Shunko, andKiyonaga. While the trim size is small, none of the subtle colors,delicate paper texture, or intricate fabric design is lost. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Nice LITTLE book
Contains a broad collection of Japanese woodblock prints spanning about 300 years, nicely divided by subject matter. Please note that the page size is only 4.5 x 4.25-in. and the average size of the prints are only 2 x 3-in. Wish it had been in a larger format. However there are 320 pages in this book.

Tiny book
I purchased this book for my brother, thinking that it was regular size. When I visited him I discovered that it was big if you are the size of a gnome.

NICE SURPRISES COME IN A SMALL PACKAGE?!
A true pocket-size book of Japanese prints from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, this little guy packs in a good size punch in terms of number of woodblock prints (276 in all).Only 4 "x 4 ½" in size, the color reproductions of the prints are surprisingly good.Good and bright colors and one print on each page.Yeah, they're small, but you don't need to squint, and hey, you can stuff it into your pocket easily.The book is divided into four print categories - Primitives", "Courtesans", "Actors" and "Landscapes" and contains many less-known ukiyo-e artists - Eishi, Shunsho, Buncho, and many others that you would not see in other usual publications on Japanese woodblock prints.At the end of the book, there is an index on Kabuki actors represented in the prints and one on all the prints in the book (the latter is a rather interesting one). A nice "little" book filled with some pleasant surprises.

Nice, but small book
I agree with the other reviews when they say that it is nice, but a very small book.I hadn't paid attention to the size when I ordered it.It is very informative, though, and I did learn a lot from it

A very small book, with smaller pictures.
Many or the pictures are only 1-1/2" x 3-1/4".
The largest are about 2-1/2" x 3-1/4". ... Read more

Product Description
Buddhism is the single common thread uniting theAsian world, from India to South-East Asia andthrough Central Asia to China, Korea and Japan.To guide and inspire believers, innumerablesymbols and images were made, beginning in India in the 3rd century BC. This phenomenally diversetradition includes not only frescoes, reliefcarvings, colossal statues, silk embroideriesand bronze ritual objects but also rock-cutshrines with a thousand Buddhas, the gloriousstupas of South-East Asia and the pagodas of the Far East, the massive "mandala in stone" ofBorobudur in Java and entire 13th-century temple complexes at Angkor in Cambodia. The authordescribes all the Buddhist schools and cultures, and explains their imagery, from Tibetan cosmicdiagrams and Korean folk art to early Sri Lankan sites and Japanese Zen gardens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Positive opinion. Good quality and fast transportation.
The book is as the description and is pretty good. the tranportation is fast. Thanks.

Revised Edition (2002)
The 1993 edition of Fisher's "Buddhist Art and Architecture" was reprinted, with revisions, in 2002. The cover of the revised edition is like the 1993 edition (i.e. the Kansas Guanyin), but now framed within a diamond-shape which is inset into a black background. The text is current on recent scholarship, such as the role of aniconism in Early Buddhist art, and cosmological interpretations of Angkor Wat. Attention is paid to the organic development of Buddhist art styles as they evolved in being transmitted from country to country, although I wish that even more emphasis had been put on this.

The book is organized by region: of its 200 pages, approximately 40-50 pages each are devoted to India, China, Korea/Japan, and Southeast Asia. The book's wide area coverage is both an advantage and a disadvantage, since much has been left out. For example, there is only one paragraph on the life of the Buddha himself, and not even a mention of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavillion), arguably Japan's most famous and beautiful architectural icon. I would also have liked to see a greater use of color illustrations (only 32 of 179, in the present edition).

I hope that readers who start with this book will go on to morein-depth treatments, such as the same author's excellent introduction to the Art of Tibet (Thames & Hudson, 1998).

A solid introduction
I am an architectural historian with a fairly extensive knowledge of Buddhist architecture.Even though this is an introductory text, Fisher's book explained some things I've failed to find anywhere else.Another plus is that Fisher includes Buddhist art/architecture from every Buddhist country.Usually books of this type leave out countries for expediency.Though this book is short, Fisher touches it all.

A well organized introductory text
Fisher's book offers an accessible, well-organized overview of both the evolution and meaning of Budhist art and architecture for the uninitiated.Never having studied Buddhism or Asian History prior to a recent trip toSoutheast Asia, I found the balance between general explanations of subjectmatter and geographic breakdown useful.Returning to the book upon return,it was clear that most of the major, recurring symbols observed (Budha'ssubduing of the Mara, other meditative and teaching postures, the sometimesuneasy juxtaposition of Hindu and Budhist structure and symbols, etc.) werementioned in this survey.

The narrative is clear, if occasionally dry. The photographs are not, however, ideally located to match theircorresponding texts, and it would have been helpful to have included in thecaptions a note about where the given object was located (rather thanhaving to wade through a paragraph at the back of the book that does noteven list the citations numerically).Still, the book is well indexed andthe illustrations are well chosen.

A quick but thoughtful history of Buddhist Art in Asia
As an instructor in Asian Arts and cultures survey courses, I am always looking for short works that give a quick overview of essentialcultural elements across the wide spectrum of Asian experience.This book isexcellent as a source book for understanding the breadth and beauty ofBuddhist art forms throughout Asia. ... Read more

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Product Description
This beautifully illustrated volume, companion book to the exhibition of the same name, presents the first comprehensive survey of work produced by artists of Asian descent in America during the first seven decades of the twentieth century. Featuring examples across many media and extending beyond ethnicity, Asian/American/Modern Art brings into focus an underrepresented and vital group within American art. Introduced by historian Gordon H. Chang and cocurator Mark Dean Johnson, with contributions by cocurator Daniell Cornell and Karin Higa, Sharon Spain, and ShiPu Wang, the book follows the exhibition's multiethnic and multidisciplinary approach. Rather than defining an Asian American art aesthetic, Asian/American/ Modern Art highlights the stylistic tensions and artistic influences apparent in the work of major artists including Chiura Obata, Yun Gee, Ruth Asawa, Isamu Noguchi, Nam June Paik, and Carlos Villa. Two areas of emphasis, the modernist matrix of the early twentieth century and the post-World War II period wherein artists developed new approaches, support the book's recurring themes of war and peace, urban life and community. This powerful book represents a major rewriting of American art history to include a population of artists whose significant contributions to twentieth-century American art have been, until now, largely ignored.
Copub: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco ... Read more

Product Description
From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Japan was a vital world center for postcard art. More than just casual mail pieces, these postcards were often designed by prominent artists and had a visual impact that belied their modest format. Remarkably beautiful examples of graphic design in their own right, they also recorded the shifting definitions of "East" and "West" at a time when such European currents as Art Nouveau began to show up in Japanese visual productions. Art of the Japanese Postcard presents 300 full-color examples of these cards, culled from the vast Leonard A. Lauder Collection. They are astonishing not only for their beauty and the quality of their printing, but also for the insight they provide into contemporary Japanese artistic practices--insights not relayed in standard histories that focus on painting and sculpture--as well as for the fluid interplay of European and Japanese modes. Authoritative essays by leading scholars of Japanese art and culture, plus a statement by the collector himself, highlight the design, development, and cultural function of these rarely studied, but highly influential and visually exciting, expressions of graphic genius.

Essays by Kendall H. Brown, Leonard A. Lauder, Anne Nishimura Morse and J. Thomas Rimer.

Hardcover, 8.5 x 9.5 in./288 pgs / 350 color and 20 b & w. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Japanese Art that really was PC
What do you like in art?Art Nouveau? Art Deco? Japanese art? You'll find it all in here as you see how, in the first decades of the 20th century, the lowly post card could become a work of fine art in Japan.
This beautifully designed and printed book, really a catalogue of the Boston MFA's exhibition, has more than 300 color illustrations as well as related essays by well-known scholars.The history of the post card, the kinds that were produced, subjects covered...all discussed.And, illustrative of a difference between these and contemporary Western pc's, a section of bio's of artists involved in the designs.
Particularly interesting are the examples showing the impact of the Russo-Japanese War, of Western Art Deco, ... and even of baseball ( in the form of pc's made for New Year's Day 1932 ).
There is serious history in here as well as strikingly interesting art...need an idea for a great Xmas present?

minor league art form given major league treatment
Score another home run for Boston's Museum of Fine Arts for recognizing the importance of the Lauder collection of Japanese postcards and then producing a significant book to commemorate the 2004 exhbition of these miniature masterpieces.The MFA has again assembled a cast of formidable experts to provide both historical and artistic perspective for the late 19th- and early 20th-century postcards produced by many of Japan's leading artists.It is thus the case that the text chapters that open "Art of the Japanese Postcard: Leonard A. Lauder Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston" help guide the reader through the changes in graphic art and design that followed Japan's opening to the West and the death of the classic "ukiyoe"-style woodblock art.

The postcards themselves are stunning, meriting repeated voyages through this beautifully designed and printed volume. And there are numerous other reasons to savor the images.For example, the cards that appear as numbers 9 through 60 in the catalogue/book all reflect Japan's contemporaneous take on the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05.Then there are chapters that demonstrate the impact of the West's Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements on Japanese art sensibilities. Three other cards, my favorites, illustrate famous "haiku" poems, with the artist, Saito Shoshu, using the themes of the cards to stylize the calligraphy with which the poems are rendered.Delight here in a snail's slime trail blended into calligraphic brushwork, an underwater scene in which the calligraphy takes on a very fluid style, and a poem broken up to refelct the hopping of a frog.

Companion essays delineate the history of this art form
The collaborative project of Anne Nishimura Morse, J. Thomas Rimer, and Kendall H. Brown, Art Of The Japanese Postcard is a gorgeous, full-color gallery of Japanese postcards from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Far more than casual items to mail, most of these cards were designed by prominent artists and feature striking use of color and imagery. A few companion essays delineate the history of this unique art form as well as the immortalization of heart-stirring pictures meant to be sent and shared. Art Of The Japanese Postcard is an impressive and seminal work which is particularly recommended to students of Japanese Popular Culture. ... Read more

Product Description
Gain a deeper appreciation for Chinese art and architecture by understanding its symbols. The Yin and Yang, dragon, phoenix, five elements, and other symbols are explained in their historical and cultural context. Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs also includes articles on Chinese beliefs, customs, arts and crafts, foods, agriculture and medicine.
Originally published in 1941, this is the standard reference book, with over 400 illustrations to help clarify and define this ancient, complex culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Chinese Symbolism
This book is thorough in coverage of Chinese art symbolism. I would love it if color photographs had been in it.

A useful, but dated resource
While this is clearly a pioneer and classic work in its field, there are, today, newer works that surpass this volume, first published 67 years ago, without many updates throughout its many reprints, in its usefulness. For example, the author includes literary references as well as art references (in other words, linguistic references that one does not see in art), so it is sometimes difficult to know if a particular object has different meanings "literally" from "figuratively". Additionally, the index is way too cursory, so there have been times when it has been extremely difficult to re-find something that one knows one has seen or read in the volume. A third shortfall is the use of line drawings as opposed to real photographs. There is a reason why we have the saying, "A picture is worth 1,000 words". Nevertheless, Williams was a ground-breaker in this area and this volume belongs in the library of anyone with a serious interest in the subject.

A straightforward survey of recurring symbols in Chinese artwork from ancient times to the modern day
Now in its fourth edition, Chinese Symbolism And Art Motifs: A Comprehensive Handbook On Symbolism In Chinese Art Through The Ages is a straightforward survey of recurring symbols in Chinese artwork from ancient times to the modern day. Divided into entries devoted to each symbol ("dragon", "phoenix", "the eight immortals", "the five elements" and much more), which are in turn presented in alphabetical order, Chinese Symbolism And Art Motifs includes over 400 black-and-white illustrations and an index for quick and easy reference. The text succinctly surveys different uses of each symbol, and also presents the names for symbols and important historical or mythical Chinese figures in Chinese characters as well as in translation. An easy-to-use guidebook especially recommended for college libraries and students and scholars of Chinese art.
... Read more

Product Description
The Arts of Japan, in two volumes, is a profusely illustrated, comprehensive survey of Japanese art from prehistoric times to the middle of the twentieth century. Every field of Japanese fine arts and many types of decorative and folk arts are covered-sculpture, painting, architecture, garden design, ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, and swords. When this book was first published in a deluxe edition in 1966, the quality of its scholarship was widely acclaimed, and it became a standard reference that has yet to be superseded. This edition contains the complete text arid all the illustrations of the original.

The Arts of Japan: Late Medieval to Modem, the second volume, covers the period from the end of the sixteenth to the mid-twentieth century. It records the appearance of a new epoch in Japanese art, when artists turned from the service of religion to direct portrayals of man and nature. The distinctly modern flavor of this art has as much appeal to a contemporary audience as it did to the people of earlier times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Insightful overview
The Arts of Japan did not go into as much detail as I had hoped it would, it was essentially an overview of generalized examples, and the format was not ideal for an art history book - there were the pages of text followed by the illustrations discussed in the text all grouped together at the end of the chapter, which works but is not my favorite format for discussing such subjects.Overall, however, the Arts of Japan is good if you're looking for an insightful glimpse into the art of different periods in Japanese history. ... Read more

Product Description
Ranging from the 11th to the 20th century, ritual silk brocade garments, painted leather pieces, ceremonial silver objects, intricately worked objects, prayer wheels and Buddhist paintings and sculpture are all lavishly illustrated in this book. Scenes of everyday life, the role of the nobility and the official Buddhist establishment are covered in the essays. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Stellar Book for A Stellar Collection
While most authors of Tibetan art books confine themselves to the religious art of Tibet, there is another, fantastic, aspect of Tibetan material culture--the luxury goods for the clergy and nobility. Through the good fortune of having been selected as the recipient of a massive collection formed in the early part of the 20th century and augmented by various gifts and purchases over the intervening years, the Newark Museum of Art has accumulate a stunning collection of these kinds of materials. In her catalogue, the curator, Valrae Reynolds and her collaborators, have made a very impressive contribution to knowledge about these objects.Indeed, these objects that she illustrates make the whole Tibetan culture much more alive and vital.Tibetans did not sit around all day and discuss the best way to meditate on some deity or another. Rather, like people all over the world, they tended their herds or crops, traded (all over Central Asia) they even went on picnics using the tents of the type in the catalog. If the potential reader is interested in the whole of Tibetan culture and not just the religion, this book will make the traditional culture clearer and more understandable than any other previous contribution that I am aware of. ... Read more