New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-25

Mr. j. W. Bouton announces the forthcoming pub
hcation of work which will attract especial at
tentIon. 1t is entitled Japanese Art" and is by
NJ. Louis GonSc. the director OF the GGstHe dcs
Btaar Arts need seldom exists long unsuppied
III this age. aud if NJ GOnse's plans are carried ont
in the exhaustive and liberal manner which lie
promises, his work will satisfy want which has
been deeply aud generally felt We have had
abundance of volumes written upon Japan, sketches
of travel tales of adventure. fragmentary histories,
studies Of the life and character of the people, but
none of these books has treated of art in than
a superficial and incidental way. 1t appears singu-
lar enough that no thoroughly satisfactory eXp0si-
ton of japanese art has yet been given, when we
remember that the most characteristic maniiesta-
tons of japanese modes Of thought and feeling, the
most VIVID illustrations of japanese religion and
history, are TO be found III japanese paintings ivory
carvings metal work and lacquers. Very useful III
their way are such books Griflitl's Land Of the
Mikado" MItfOrd's Tales of Japan" and Miss
Bride stories of travel, but clearer comprehension
of japanese character Is to be gained from a close
study of really representative japanese art objects
than from reading all the books which have hereto
fore been written upon Japan
There is another and perhaps more practical rea-
son Why we should welcome discriminating and
thorough work upon art in Japan. NJ. Gonsc says,
and bis words are as applicable to New-lo rA as to
Paris: lie JGpoHsmc has entered into our Gus
TOMS our tastes our industries, our impoverished
powers of invention are rejuvenatel by its breath
Proofs of this about US daily. Wall papers
designs for ceiling and stamped leather work bear
either japanese chTysanthemuBs ard dragons
boldly copied, OF else reveal in wavy ! res and
quaint conceptions the influence Of japanese ideas.
There is hardly branch of decorative art which
fails to show this. Aside from private houses. we
can find limitations of japanese cabinets ceilings
clothed with chrysanthemums, and friezes with
tortuous piquaut designs in public buildings shops
and even restaurants Of the better class, while
architects in their lighter work freely acknowledge
their indebtedness to Japan. At the pottery works
III Chelsea. Mass, from which come the Low art
tiles, there have been very successful experiments
in initiating delicate japanese methods and designs,
while many of our metal workers have been simi-
larly benefited. Aud the fashionable forms of
decoration for studios au1 art exhibitions are Jap
anesc Nor can we consider this entirely passing
craze. There is sure to be rcsduum of solid ben
eft and tins is TO be looked for particularly in i'll
fuSing more of truly artistic feeling into the work
OF artisans, such particularly deal with decOra-
tive materials. In the attainment of such results
q work like that Of NJ. Gonse will play part. per
haps not directly but by setting ideas in motion.
and furnishing illustrations which eau be readily
copied, and by its value 10 the teachers. if not i'm
medatcly to the pupils 1t is not true. however,
Nj. Gonse seems to believe, that the ancient art of
japan is completely unknown to the public" 1t
is unfortunately too true that most of the current
Japanese bric-a-brac is the mechanical product of
modern manufactures for the invasion of the
wealthy foreign collector has infected Japan with
the greed for gain. But even here in America we
are not without many treasures dating from the
times when the daiaiOs wed with each other i'll
their patronage of art, and time, gold and brains
were lavIshed utterly without stint upon each pre-
cious work. Mr.. Walters of Baltimore, could IL
lustrate the palmy days of japanese art from his
collection, and there are half dozen less famous
collectors in this city. NJ. Sichel. while occupying
himself chiefly with Chinese ceramics. has brought
us some rare specimens of japanese art, while
Nessrs Sutton and Robertson have given oppor-
tunities of seeing OF its dantc,t choicest
Illustrations And so art lovers III NewYork
should be prepared to know a good thing from