Chickadees amid cherry blossoms, peacocks nestled in wisteria branches, sleeping owls against a moonlit night sky and majestic cranes diving in the ocean waves―these are some of the transcendent pleasures offered in this exquisite collection of plates bound in an accordion style format that honors the Japanese bookbinding tradition. Every major artist of this genre is included―from Keisai, Keibun and Hokusai to Hiroshige and Koson―as the history of Japanese printmaking unfolds in stunning detail.

An introductory booklet explores the centuries long role that nature has played in Japanese art, from Chinese influenced works of the Kano school, which depicted the bird as a Buddhist symbol, through to the ukiyo-e, when artists

strove to capture fleeting moments of pure joy. Fans of Japanese art, lovers of birds, and anyone who enjoys beautiful depictions of the natural world will cherish this sumptuous, satisfying volume of earthly delights.

樱花丛中的山雀，紫藤枝头的孔雀，月光下熟睡的猫头鹰，在海浪中潜水的雄伟的鹤，这些鸟类一一呈现在书中，以手风琴风格的格式装订，以纪念日本的装订传统。书中介绍了这**派的主要艺术家溪斋英泉（Keisai）、惠文（Keibun）、葛饰北斋（Hokusai）、安藤广重（Hiroshige）和小原古村（Koso）等。日本版画的历史在令人惊叹的细节中展开了。

本书从受中国影响的狩野派作品（将鸟描绘成佛教符号）到浮世绘（艺术家努力捕捉稍纵即逝的快乐瞬间），探讨了几个世纪以来大自然在日本艺术中扮演的角色，是日本艺术爱好者、鸟类爱好者，以及喜欢描绘自然世界的人的必读书目。