MAR 2012

VOLUME 43 - NUMBER 2

As part of the celebrations surrounding the 100th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of cherry trees to Washington, DC, two exhibitions opening at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in March highlight the vibrancy of late Edo period art. James T. Ulak and Ann Yonemura, respectively, provide rich insights into the works on show: a set of 100 large hanging scrolls by Kano Kazunobu, depicting the 500 disciples of the Buddha, and Katsushika Hokusai’s well-known series of woodblock prints Thirty-Six Views of Mt Fuji. Elena Pakhoutova and Agnieszka Helman-Wazny focus on the aesthetic and creative aspects of illuminated Tibetan manuscripts ahead of an exhibition at the Rubin Museum of Art.

In May, the British Museum will present highlights of modern and contemporary Chinese ink paintings. The exhibition is the subject of an article by Clarissa von Spee, while Britta Erickson examines the infinitesimally detailed paintings of Liu Dan, one of the featured artists. Meanwhile, Catherine Delacour introduces the forthcoming Musée Guimet exhibition on scholar’s rocks, with an emphasis on the scholar’s spirit, as well as contemporary works inspired by that spirit.

In other features, Stacey Pierson reviews Chinese Export Ceramics by Rose Kerr and Luisa E. Mengoni, and Nancy Steinhardt gives us a preview of an exhibition of Jin dynasty tomb art at China Institute. We look ahead to other spring events, and pay tribute to inspirational figures of the art world. Finally, in our commentary, He Shuzhong and Jim Stent offer recommendations on the conservation of the Old City of Kashgar.

FEATURES
Nancy Shatzman Steinhardt. 'Theatre, Life, and the Afterlife: Tomb Decor of the Jin Dynasty from Shanxi' at China Institute
Catherine Delacour. Timeless Fascination: Scholar's Rocks at the Musee Guimet
Britta Erickson. Liu Dan: To Paint the Unmeasurable
Clarissa von Spee. A Century of New Directions: Modern Chinese Ink Painting at the British Museum
Elena Pakhoutova and Agnieszka Helman-Wazny. Tools of Persuasion: The Art of Sacred Books
Ann Yonemura. Hokusai: Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji
James T. Ulak. Masters of Mercy: Kano Kazunobu and the Buddha's Amazing Disciples Resurrecting and Understanding a Major Buddhist Landmark of the Late Edo Period
PREVIEWS & REVIEWS
Fair Previews: TEFAF, Asia Week New York, New York Arts of Pacific Asia 2012
Stacey Pierson. Book Review: Chinese Export Ceramics by Rose Kerr and Luisa E. Mengoni, with a contribution by Ming Wilson, V&A Publications, London, 2011
NEWS
Obituary: Joseph G. Gerena (1949-2012)
Robert Barnett and Per K. Sorensen. Obituary: Andre Alexander (1965-2012)
Janet Baker, Claudia Brown, Ju-hsi Chou and Marilyn Papp. Obituary: Roy Papp (1927-2011)
COMMENTARY
He Shuzhong and Jim Stent. Commentary: Saving Kashgar: Further Reflections