CSUN Will Display Rare Japanese Books

A collection of rare books illustrated by Japanese artists during the Edo Period will be on exhibit this month at the Cal State Northridge library.

The collection, assembled by anthropologist and CSUN professor emeritus Robert Ravicz over a 25-year period, was recently acquired by the Chiba City Museum of Art in Japan.

The CSUN exhibit, which begins Monday and continues until March 1, will be the last chance to view the books, which possess themes on topics ranging from nature images to brothels, in the United States.

During the Edo Period (1615-1868), book illustration was popular among artists who took advantage of Japan’s growing printing industry. The collection, which will be displayed at the Oviatt Library, includes illustrated poetry books as well as the work of painter and engraver Katsushika Hokusai.

Curator Juliann Wolfgram will discuss the collection at 7 p.m. Feb. 10. For exhibit times and parking information, call the CSUN Art Gallery at (818) 677-2156.