Traces of Japanese Life: Selections from the Melikian Collection
James and Ana Melikian have collected rare books and manuscripts, liturgical objects, and many other works of art. Materials from their collection have been shown in several recent museum exhibitions, including Sacred Word and Image: Five World Religions organized by the Phoenix Art Museum (2012) and accompanied by a catalog. Offered here is their collection of Japanese rare books, manuscripts, and objects of historical interest, which continues to grow. Faculty and graduate students at Arizona State University are presenting in this digital archive preliminary research on selected objects. Students involved in the project were Susan Anderson, Colleen Bache, Brittany Corrales, Nicholas Klofkorn, Amelia Miholca, Yijing Wang, and Momoko Welch. More manuscripts will added over time. An exhibition of selected works titled Traces of Japanese Life: Selections from the Melikian Collection was held from February 1 until May 25, 2013 at the ASU Art Museum organized by the staff of the Jules Heller Print Study Room.
Printed book
Printed book
Hand-drawn ink and pigment on very thin early washi paper and laid down on heavier paper for support. This map was probably copied by the Japanese from Dutch sources and maps. Since Japan was closed to Western countries at this time, this type of information would have been seen only by a select few.
Woodblock print, mounted as scroll