The Arts of Japan is a two-volume, profusely illusrated and comprehensive survey of Japanese art from the prehistoric times to the middle of the twentieth century. Every field of Japanese fine arts and many types of decorative and folk arts are covered, including sculpture, painting, architecture, garden design, ceramics, lacquerware, textiles and swords. This first volume focuses on Japanese art history up to the end of the sixteenth century - from the arts and tomb artifacts of prehistoric Japan to the Buddhist and secular arts that were developed in the successive capitals at Nara and Kyoto as well as provincial centers.