Presenting a revised edition with a new preface of this important work, previously available only in hardback. It has long been assumed that Japan's closed country policy meant that Japan was isolated from the influence of the outside, and in particular the Western, world. However, this study of 18th century Japan, using sources wholly unstudied since their writing, reveals the profound influence that the introduction of Western technology and scientific instruments including glass, lenses and mirrors had on Japanese notions of sight, and how this change in perception was reflected most clearly in popular culture. Screech goes to the core of later eighteenth century thought through popular objects and the propositions which many considered groundbreaking on the book's first publication in 1996 have yet to be substantially challenged. Reprint of the 2002 edition. Revised edition of: The western scientific gaze and popular imagery in later Edo Japan, 1996. With a new author's preface and an expanded bibliography.
Author(s): Timon Screech
Publisher: Curzon Press; Routledge
Year: 2002
Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
CONTENTS
List of Plates and Figures
Preface
Preface to 2nd Edition
Introduction
1 Trade and Culture in the Eighteenth Century
2 The “Batavian Temperament” and its Critics
3 Mechanics and Motions
4 Machinery for Pictures
5 Seeing In
6 The Eye and the Lens
7 The View from On High
Notes
Glossary
References
Bibliographical Addendum
Index
