Posted by John Fiorillo on December 10, 1998 at 17:10:24:
In Reply to: Analyzing the Gestalt posted by LCD on December 09, 1998 at 21:40:53:
: John Fiorillo (did I spell it correctly?) noted in one of the chats that one should rely on the gestalt in reacting to a print. (Mr. Fiorillo, I am certainly taking license with your comment and mean you no harm here.) That rings true to me. I, a new student and collector of Edo period woodblocks, have arrived at a stage where I know the real thing when I see it. The next step, for me at least, is an increase in factual knowledge. Where can one really study Edo period prints? I have read many book, consulted the library of my local university, and forged various contacts. Yet I still lack the knowledge base I seek. Where can one find detailed information about the artists, printers, and publishers of the Edo period? I am thinking of contacting the art history department of a university. As a college professor myself, I am reluctant to throw myself, knowing my relative ignorance, on the mercies of an art historian. Is there a better way?
Response from JF:
You are doing many of the right things to acquire factual knowledge. You have read books, consulted a university library, and made contacts. Just keep at it. In terms of reading, try to find not only general surveys but also more narrowly focused publications that sometimes examine specific topics in greater detail. I recommended in an earlier posting to this chat site that ukiyo-e enthusiasts consider joining two excellent societies dedicated to the study of Japanese Art. As I said at …
(http://www.shogungallery.com/wwwboard/message3/50.html):
"I would recommend membership in these societies to anyone seriously interested in Japanese prints, especially as these societies publish many articles by experts in the field of Japanese arts and crafts. There is often something extra to be learned by reading in-depth, well focused articles that cannot be found in general art surveys. For those interested in these societies, you should write to:
Society for Japanese Arts, Mr. Prankenstraat 12, 5571 CP Bergeyk, The Netherlands
Ukiyo-e Society of America, P.O. Box 665, FDR Station, New York, NY 10150
Memberships in these societies cost about $50.00 each annually and include subscriptions to the journals and newsletters, arrangements to visit public and private collections, occasional discounted books, and information about exhibitions and publications around the world." The Ukiyo-e Society of America presents regular lectures (in New York) while summarizing those lectures in newsletters. It also has a new expanded format for its annual journal (called "Impressions"), including for the first time color plates in its recently published vol. 20. The Society for Japanese Arts publishes its journal (called "Andon") quarterly.
Other possibilities include viewing museum exhibitions and reading the accompanying publications (books, catalogs, brochures) as well as attending related lectures that are often presented as part of the ongoing exhibition. Museum societies also have occasional presentations on ukiyo-e, typically by invited lecturers.