Nara and Kyoto Seen by an English Architect in 1879(1/2)

Edward James Reed（1830-1906）, an English architect serving the British navy, was invited to Japan in January, 1879. He travelled in Japan for about three months, and published Japan: Its History, Traditions, and Religions: With the Narrative of a Visit in 1879 next year. This research plan proposes to study this book within a broader context. My concern is not only the personal experience of the author, but how his writing reflected the changing concepts about the East Asian art history. To be more precise, two issues will be focused. First, when did the Westerners began to be interested in the art works other than the Ukiyo-e, and to concern the whole development of the Japanese art history, as well as the East Asian art history. Second, aside from the promotions conducted by the Japanese official agency in the World Expositions, were there any other factors that influenced the views of the Westerners in their acceptance of the East Asian art works. And, what kind of a role did travelogues written in the late nineteenth century play?