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- Miniature Arts of China and Japan
THE MINIATURE ART FORMS in this publication express the delight of the Chinese and the Japanese in small things and their aptitude for exquisite workmanship on a miniature scale. Both China and Japan boast a great range of artistic achievements in miniature. Since early times, Chinese and Japanese miniature art has been characterized by exceptional delicacy, preciseness and exquisiteness.
Even though the art forms in this publication are often referred to as the minor arts, they still represent the highest standards of art in China and Japan. Miniature works are more suitable to personal close-up inspection than larger works of art and are meant to be held individually in the palm of one's hand. As a mle, they have a wonderful tactile quality and are very pleasing to the touch. They are popular with collectors because of their size and because they have the power to make a substantial impact on people.
Despite the limitations of the material and the restricted compact space and shape for the designs, the makers of these miniature art pieces have shown extraordinary patience, unique sensitivity, exquisite workmanship, elegance of form and ingenuity in the variety of materials used. They have succeeded in beautifying mundane functional or utilitarian items into objects of great
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