Animal Motifs in Asian Art: An Illustrated Guide to Their Meanings and Aesthetics

Authoritative reference deals primarily with animal symbolism in Japanese art, with occasional mention of the decorative art of China, India, and Persia. Arranged in the format of a dictionary, the explanatory text is rich with sidelights from literature and legend, while 673 black-and-white illustrations depict dragons, tigers, bats, and other creatures with symbolic significance.