From the 1860s to the 1890s, the rise of Japonisme and the Art Nouveau movement meant few could ignore or resist the obsession with all things Japanese. Superbly crafted and often highly decorated Japanese objects--lacquer, metalwork, ceramics, enamels, and other decorative items--stimulated and inspired Western artists and craftsmen to produce their own works. Arts of the Meiji period (1868-1912) were displayed at international exhibitions, in the...