File:Japan, a record in colour (1901) (14771233135).jpg

Identifier: cu31924023219557 (find matches)
Title: Japan, a record in colour
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Menpes, Mortimer, 1855-1938 Menpes, Dorothy
Subjects: Art
Publisher: London : A. & C. Black
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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it into the room, and thoughtfully stepaside to regard its consonance with its immediatesurroundings ? Art begins, as charity begins, at home;and where the home of the individual is absolutelyartistic, it cannot fail that the whole nation should bea nation of artists. I give way to none in my loyaltyto my country and my love for that country—I mustsay that I do not think that there is a country betterin the whole world ;—but perfection on this earth isnot only impossible, but to my idea also absolutelyundesirable—a perfect nation would be to the full asdreadful as a perfect man. We are saved from perfec-tion by an almost entire lack of the artistic faculty,and, however great we are in other respects, I amsad to say we are thoroughly inartistic. To whombut the Englishman would the golden dragons thatplay so recklessly about on black screens with theirscarlet drooping tongues, that are sold in the Japanesecurio shops, possibly appeal? Who but English- 46 ON THE GREAT CANAL, OSAKA
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The Living Art speaking people would crave for those cherry-blossomsembroidered on white silk grounds, which they sogleefully carry away with them ? Who but my in-artistic countrymen would insist on their cabinets beingsmothered with endless and miscellaneous carvings ?The Japanese are too artistic to admit these thingsinto their own homes ; but why are their dealers soinartistic as (blinded by the desire of filthy pelf) toput forth these embroideries for the English andAmerican market ? Such things now and then makeme tremble for the future of art in Japan. It maybe (though I trust not) the thin end of the wedge ;it may. be the little rift within the lute that by andby will make the music mute, and, ever widening,slowly silence all. What a tragedy it would bethat the music of this most perfect art should everbe silenced in that lovely land, the resting-place andhome of the highest and only living art! 47 PAINTERS AND THEIR METHODS CHAPTER III PAINTERS AND THEIR METHODS The methods of

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