[Over 8 million copies! The world’s most read art masterpiece] “Bijutsu no Monogatari”, the phantom “pocket edition” will be released in a new style this fall!
*Kawade Shobo Shinsha*
Press release: August 14, 2024
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[Over 8 million copies! The world’s most read art masterpiece] “Bijutsu no Monogatari”, the phantom “pocket edition” will be released in a new style this fall!
*A long-awaited book for art fans, “Story of Art”
Pocket Edition” will be released on October 18, 2024. That big masterpiece is now portable. On sale for a limited time and limited to the first production at a “publication commemorative special price”! * * Kawade Shobo Shinsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Yu Onodera) is a publisher of Ernst H. Gombrich’s “The Story of Art”.
“Pocket Edition” will be released on October 18, 2024. *
* “Art is your friend. This book taught me that.”*
* ── Mr. Maha Harada (author) *
*
“The Story of Art” has been read for over 70 years since its first edition in 1950. It is currently the most read art book in the world, published in 35 countries including Japan, with a cumulative total of over 8 million copies worldwide. *
* The British company Phaidon published the Japanese version of “Bijutsu no Monogatari” in 2007, and reorganized it into a compact form that could be carried around.
“Pocket Edition” was published in 2011. However, after that, all of them were out of stock and Phaidon withdrew from the Japanese market, making them difficult to obtain. *
*
However, in 2019, Kawade Shobo Shinsha republished “Bijutsu no Monogatari” with a new edition. Since then, it has been featured in many media outlets, including NHK’s “Asaichi,” and although it is an expensive book, it has been repeatedly reprinted. On the other hand, “Story of Art”
There is also a high demand for the “Pocket Edition,” and since Phaidon’s book was out of stock, its used books are still being traded at high prices. *
* ■Charm of “Art Story Pocket Edition” *
“Art Story” will be released by Kawade Shobo Shinsha.
The “Pocket Edition” is the same size as the old “Pocket Edition” published by Phaidon, but the cover has been changed from paper to a bright yellow cloth binding. While increasing the strength of the book, the elegant binding greatly increases its presence in terms of appearance and feel. Additionally, a new “Preface to the Pocket Edition” by Leonie Gombrich, grandson of Ernst H. Gombrich, has been added.
“The Story of Art” and “The Story of Art Pocket Edition”
“Story of Art”
Although the number of pages has increased from 668 pages to 1048 pages compared to the original book “Bijutsu no Monogatari”, the size of the “Pocket Edition” has increased from a large format to a size similar to a new book, and the weight has increased from approximately 1800g to approximately 750g. Both sizes have been reduced by half. It’s easy to read at any time and easy to carry anywhere, so even if you already have “Bijutsu no Monogatari,” many people may want to get the “pocket edition.”
* ■We have set up a “publication commemorative special price” for a limited time and limited to the first production. Make your
reservations and orders early! *
We are pleased to announce that the book “Story of Art” will be available to more art fans.
We want you to experience the “Pocket Edition”, so we have set up a “Publication Commemoration Special Price” until the end of January 2025 and only for the first production.
* Normally, the main unit price is 4990 yen (excluding tax), * *As a commemorative publication price, the book will be sold at a price of 3,990 yen (excluding tax). *
The original large-format “Bijutsu no Monogatari” costs 9,000 yen (excluding tax), so you can purchase it for less than half that price at the “Publication Commemoration Special Price.”
In addition, like the large-format “Bijutsu no Monogatari,” this book is produced in the same printing and binding factory as the overseas original in order to maintain quality, so when the first production run out of stock, the next reprint will be completed. It will take some time.
Please make your reservations as early as possible at your local national bookstore to ensure that you can get the first edition at a low price on the release date.
* ■The ingenious composition unique to “Art Story Pocket Edition” * –
This book has been divided into text and illustrations in order to reduce the size and weight required for a “pocket edition.” The text portion is published in the first half of the book, all 501 pages, and is printed on thin, strong paper similar to that used in dictionaries. The illustrations are reproduced in color on 448 pages in total in the second half using brightly colored paper. Illustrations are published on single pages or in double-page spreads.
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A special set of two bookmark strings is included so that you can read the book while looking at the text and illustrations alternately. The bookmark string is bright yellow, the same color as the cross on the cover. The illustrations can be identified by the illustration number written on the text page, so by using one for the text page and one for the illustration page, you can easily go back and forth between the two.
A set of two bookmark strings, which is unusual for a book.
* Story of Art Pocket Edition * * Story of Art *
Release: October 18, 2024 Now on sale
Regular price Publication commemorative price: 3,990 yen (excluding tax) *Regular price: 4,990 yen (excluding tax)
*Special price is for a limited time and first production only, 9000 yen (excluding tax)
Bookbinding specifications: Hardcover, cover cloth binding, 2 bookmark strings, cover, obi binding Hardcover, cover cloth binding with gold leaf, cover, obi wrapping (no bookmark string)
Text format: Top and bottom 186 x left and right 110mm (46 variant) Top and bottom 248 x 180mm (B5 variant)
Weight: approx. 750g approx. 1800g
Total pages 1048 pages 688 pages
Main text printing Text page = monochrome
Illustration page = color All pages = color
* ■What is “Story of Art”? *
“The Story of Art” (original title: The Story of Art)
Art) is about reading and understanding 10,000 years of art history, from prehistory to the present day, as a “single story” while drawing on a grand scale, from primitive cave paintings to modern experimental art. This is a revolutionary book that allows you to It is also the definitive edition of the world’s most famous and widely read art book.
This book, which has been read for more than 70 years since its first publication in 1950, was written by British art historian Ernst H. Gombrich. It was originally written with young readers in mind and was intended to serve as a “guide and sketch map of art”, so it provides an overview of art history as a whole in a simple style. Since its publication, it has been accepted by many as a masterpiece for introductory art.
The history of human art, which stretches from the age of the pyramids to modern art, is clearly depicted as a story.
There are many excellent points unique to this book, but the main features are as follows.
1. * The definitive edition that covers everything from the cave paintings of Lascaux to contemporary art, a magnificent history of art that is constantly changing but still connected. *
2. * While appreciating a wide variety of works of art, you can enjoy art history as if reading a “story” in a simple style. The best book as an introductory/basic book. *
3. * Organized into 28 chapters that follow the flow of history, art styles and movements are organized by era. A rich commentary by an art historian with overwhelming knowledge. *
4. * For works of art discussed in the text, be sure to include a photo of the work. Contains 376 color illustrations and 64 monochrome illustrations. *
From its publication to the present, it has been introduced in many media in Japan, including NHK’s “Asaichi”, where author Maha Harada introduced it (broadcast on January 21, 2022), and the magazine “Da Vinci” (2024). The February 2019 issue) introduces recommendations from members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Art Information Office.
Furthermore, since 1950, Gombrich himself has added to and revised the book many times, and the current edition is the 16th edition (revised in 1994), which was the last revision during Gombrich’s lifetime and has since become the definitive edition.
(Left) Piet Mondrian “Composition in Red, Black, Blue, Yellow and Gray” (1920), (Right) Ben Nicholson “1934 (Relief)” (1934)
* ■From Japan and the world. Numerous recommendations and compliments! * The charm of the work is clearly highlighted in the flow of history. * — Mr. Hideji Takashina (Art Historian/Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo) *
Art is your friend. This book taught me that.
* — Mr. Maha Harada (author) *
It is a book as famous as the Mona Lisa, and a joy to study. * ──Pierre Rosembert (Former Director of the Louvre Museum) *
Like many art historians of my generation, my thinking about painting owes much to Gombrich.
* ──Neil McGregor (Former Director of the National Gallery, London) *
Filled with love and scholarship, clarity and insight, this book stands as a classic cornerstone for the appreciation of art. * ──Bridget Riley (painter) *
This is a book that brings pure joy to both those who think about it and those who see it with their own eyes.
* ──H.W. Janson (Former Professor, New York University) *
A new edition of a book that is the cornerstone of a major project to connect ordinary people with art has been published. It’s difficult to express my gratitude in words.
* —J. Carter Brown (Director Emeritus of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, former Chairman of the American Board of Fine Arts) *
No other book has had the power to draw people into the world of art, whether they are art historians, art students, or academics, as Gombrich’s The Story of Art. Gombrich, a great historian who wrote wonderful stories, will continue to be widely accepted for his frank speaking style and passion, which does not rely on technical jargon. * ──Christopher Frayling (Former Professor of Cultural History, Royal College of Art, London) *
Numerous other compliments are still being received for this book.
* ■From the table of contents *
Prologue: Art and its creators
A mysterious beginning: prehistory, primitive people, and the old civilizations of the Americas
In search of eternity: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Crete
The Great Awakening – Greece – 7th century BC – 5th century BC – Kingdom of Beauty – Greece and its spread – 4th century BC – 1st century AD – Conquerors of the World – Romans, Buddhists, Jews, Christians – 1st century – 4th century –
The crossroads of history: Rome and Byzantium – 5th century – 13th century – Looking to the east – Islam, China – 2nd century – 13th century – Western art in the melting pot: Europe – 6th century – 11th century – The fighting church—-12th century-
Glorious Church—-13th century-
Court and city—-14th century-
Art that captures reality —first half of the 15th century- Tradition and Change I──Italy -Late 15th Century-
Tradition and Change II – North of the Alps – 15th century – Achieved harmony: Tuscany and Rome – early 16th century –
Light and Color – Venice and Northern Italy – Early 16th Century – Spread of new knowledge – Germany and the Netherlands – early 16th century – Crisis of art: Europe – late 16th century –
Various visions of the Catholic world in Europe – the first half of the 17th century –
Mirror of nature – Netherlands – 17th century –
Power and Glory I – Italy – Late 17th Century – 18th Century – Power and Glory II – France, Germany, Austria – Late 17th Century – Early 18th Century –
The Age of Reason – England and France – 18th century –
Dismantling tradition: England, America, France – late 18th century – early 19th century –
Permanent Revolution: England and France -19th century-
In search of new standards—-end of the 19th century-
Experimental art —first half of the 20th century-
An endless story: The triumph of modernism, the decline of modernism, and the ever-changing past
Illustration
About references/Country-specific illustration list/Illustration list/Index
* ■Author introduction *
* Ernst H. Gombrich * (Ernst H. Gombrich)
The greatest art historian of the 20th century. Born in Vienna in 1909. In 1936, he became a member of the Warburg Institute in London, and from 1959 to 1976 he served as Director of the Institute and Professor of Classics at the University of London. He has received many awards around the world, including knighthood, the Order of Merit, the Goethe Prize, the Hegel Prize, and the Erasmus Prize. He was also an excellent communicator, using clear and persuasive writing. His work is a perfect example for art historians and reflects his boundless love for art. Passed away in 2001.
His many publications include “The History of Art”, “Art and Illusion”, “Decorative Art Theory”, and “World History for Young Readers”.
* ■Bibliographic information *
Book title: *Art Story Pocket Edition*
Author: Ernst H. Gombrich
Translation: Mamoru Amano, Hiroshi Onishi, Satoru Okuno, Nobuo Kiriyama, Setsuko Hasegawa, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Michio Hayashi, Naoto Miyakoshi
Cooperation: Masayuki Tanaka
Specifications: 46 variant format / hardcover, cloth binding / 1048 pages First edition release date: October 18, 2024
Publication commemorative special price: Regular price 4389 yen (3990 yen) *“Publishing commemorative special price” is available until the end of January 2025 and is limited to the first production. After that, it will be sold at the regular price of 5,489 yen (4,990 yen for the main unit).
ISBN: 978-4-309-25746-4
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309257464/
Publisher: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
* ■Popularly published *
* “Story of Art” *
Text in full color / All illustrations included in the main text and explanatory text / Contains 6 large illustrations in double-folded layout
B5 variant format / Hardcover, cloth binding / 688 pages / Released on July 11, 2019
List price: 9,900 yen (9,000 yen for the main unit)
ISBN: 978-4-309-25628-3
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/97843090256283/