The Art of Rice

Explores beliefs and practices relating to rice as they are made manifest in the unique arts and material cultures of Asian peoples Contains magnificent photographs This volume explores beliefs and practices relating to rice as they are made manifest in the unique arts and material cultures of the various peoples who live throughout South, Southeast, and East Asia. Incorporating essays by 27 authorities representing a wide variety of cultures and perspectives, the lavishly illustrated book describes rice-related rituals and beliefs in Thailand, Nepal, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, China, and Korea. Throughout, the juxtaposition of magnificent photographs of works of art - paintings, prints, ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, and sculpture - with objects of a more humble nature - agricultural implements, rice-straw ornaments, cooking utensils, baskets, puppets, votive plaques, and more - serves to indicate the striking pervasiveness of rice in all aspects and all walks of life. Wedding ceremonies, parades, festivals, celebrations of birth, rites held to honor the rice goddess, and those performed to ensure success at every step in the rice-growing cycle are vividly described and illustrated with striking field photographs. The whole gives the reader the rare opportunity to compare similarities and differences in how a rich array of Asian cultures views the food that nourishes them