This volume reproduces 139 Japanese wood— block colour prints by 43 famous masters of ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 17th to the 19th century. The originals are in the Riccar Art Museum in Tokyo, the world’s largest and most celebrated collection of such prints. On account of their rarity and value, 87 of them have been designate Japanese National Treasures or Major National Cultural Heritage Items.

The major section of the book consists of the 139 reproductions, grouped by artist, each accompanied by a detailed, sensitive commentary. Street scenes, lovers’ assignations, festivals, portraits of courtesans and actors, landscapes and travelogues — these are the motifs of the ukiyo-e print. The dominant, theme, however, is woman's beauty, the grace of her posture arid attitudes, and the decorative aesthetics of her flowing garments...