SATSUMA THE ROMANCE OF JAPAN BY LOUIS LAWRENCE

It has been 20 years since Louis Lawrence’s book devoted solely to Satsuma was published. His first book acquired a legendary status among collectors with its superb illustrations and its ground breaking history of the subject. This book has exceeded the first, with extraordinary panoramic illustrations showing almost every detail of over 100 selected pieces of the finest Satsuma ware made. There are masterpieces of the art on almost every page. The directory identifies over 300 photographed signatures and gives biographical information on the major artists, studios and factories. It is the most comprehensive listing ever produced in the field and includes helpful hints in reading signatures. Taking the subjects portrayed on Satsuma as the guiding thread through the book Louis Lawrence takes us on a journey through life in ancient Japan, introduces the legends and myths of this eastern empire and shows the Satsuma decorator’s unique ability to capture nature at its most picturesque. The history of Satsuma ware, its most famous and important makers are all detailed in the extensive text. So too is an introduction to some fine artists whose work has yet to be appreciated. New research includes a contemporary account of a visit to the studio of Yabu Meizan in 1891 and a fresh look at the work of Chin Jukan, the founder of the industry. We can now fully appreciate the complex detail and spectacular design of almost a hundred pieces all previously unpublished, illustrated with some 280 photographs. A guide to collecting and some tips drawn from Louis Lawrence’s 40 years of experience in the antique trade complete this unique book.