244 KEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



mg to arrive at an estimate of Japanese color-printing - , it must not be 

 forgotten, therefore, that problems like those just alluded to are never 

 offered to the Japanese reproductive artists. The originals which they 

 are asked, not to interpret, but rather to imitate, or the original color- 

 prints which they produce, are, indeed, exceedingly beautiful, and 

 worthy of attentive study as giving embodiment to the ideals of a 

 highly gifted people, moving in an intellectual atmosphere quite differ- 

 ent from our own, but it remains true, nevertheless, that they are purely 

 and frankly conventional. Looking at the technical side of the question 

 only, it may be said that it is this tact which has enabled the Japanese 

 wood-cutters and printers to hud methods answering their wants almost 

 to perfection. In a more searching study of Japanese art, other con- 

 ditions would, indeed, also have to be considered, but their discussion 

 would be out of place in a report like the present, which is of necessity 

 limited to a statement of facts. 



