Japonisme in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy

The book Japonisme in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy tries to demonstrate how the recognition of Japanese culture gained ground in the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the way it inspired local artists to create objects of Japonisme. It mainly covers the period from the departure of the first envoy to Japan in 1868 to 1918 when the Monarchy ceased to exist. It tries to counter the current nation-based Japonisme studies by adopting a transnational approach and also examines Japonisme within the larger context of Orientalism debate.

The Introduction written by Toshio Watanabe gives a historical overview of the development of Japonisme studies and offers a critique of centrist, modernist, and Fine Art-oriented discussions, particularly those which prioritise origin. It further discusses the position of Japonisme studies within those of Orientalism and transnationalism. Finally, it attempts to characterise the key features of the Japonisme in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, some of which break the Saidian Orientalist trope.