Among the more celebrated Japanese tricksters are the Tengu. These peculiar half-human, half-bird (sometimes hawk-like, sometimes more vulture) creatures are famous for their love of sake and their abilities with the sword. In fact, part of their mythology is that the tengu created the unique Japanese style of kendo, and were responsible for teaching it […]
Drunken Tengu: Masters of the Sword and Drink Read More »
Artful alphabets please me. Here is a beautiful early 18th century Italian alphabet currently housed in Berlin, but happily digitized and available online. I like the the fact that my first intial “M” — is graced by Masks and Satyrs (and mules? stubborn girl). It reminds me of Zizola and the Satyrs in The Innamorati.
Alphabets, Satyrs, and My Name Read More »
I found these beauties sorting through yet another still-packed box in the garage. I was given these Mexican paper dolls when I was quite young and have fond memories of spending hours studying their regional costumes. One folded the arms behind the back, creating a cone shaped figure and then slid the ends of the
Trajes Tipicos Mexicanos: Vintage Mexican Paper Dolls Read More »
Oaxacan artist, Fernando Olivera, is perhaps better known in this country for his magnificent work in color — vibrant paintings that depict a magic realist Mexico — but I also love his smaller black and white etchings which are equally magical. I am determined this year to purchase one or two for the new house
Por Unos Ojos Negros Read More »
I am swooning over these gorgeous illustrations from the Czech children's book The Forest Story," written in 1929 by Josef Kozisek and handsomely illustrated by Rudolf Mates. I would so have loved as a child to receive such a gem of of a book. (Via Will Schoenfeld's amazing 50 Watts, a website dedicated to sharing
A Forest Story And The Lush Illustrations of Rudolf Mates Read More »
Love this engraving of Swiss (Basel) dress from the 1630s entitled "How To Admire One Another in a Good Year." Still trying to work what the young woman has concealed under her headdress — that hoof sticking out beneath the veil is a bit alarming. What we won't do for fashion. But it does show
How To Admire One Another In A Good Year Read More »
As it turns out, Hans Christian Andersen produced really wonderful, whimsical, and beautiful papercuts when he told stories. He also produced lovely Christmas ornaments out of colored paper. I always think of his melancholy fairy tales — and was surprised by the humor and quirkiness of these delicate pieces. Happily, you can see a lot
Hans Christian Andersen’s Whimisical Paper Cuts Read More »
love calligraphy that serves to do more than to write words — but rather, playfully suggests visual puns and curious designs. Letters can be either re-constructed to resemble an object (and a sentiment suggested by the object) as in the lovely piece of Arabic calligraphy below creating a coffee pot out of the Arabic phrase,
Really, I think the Japanese are hands down the best illustrators of weird and wonderful monsters. Pink Tentacle — one of my favorite sites for all things Japanese-bizarre — continues to offer smashing posts on Monster Scrolls from the 18th and 19th century. Many of the monsters are not just part of traditional folk lore, but more urban myths created
Japanese Monster Scrolls: Something to Creep Out Almost Everyone Read More »
Frank McIntosh is famous for his glorious art deco covers for Asia Magazine, which was popular from the 1920s to the 1940s. My mother had a collection of the magazines when she was younger — and sliced off the covers to keep as art. I found them (yes…on the endless “every box must be opened and
Dreamy Art Deco Magazine Covers for Asia Magazine by Frank McIntosh Read More »
