Reception of Blake in the Orient

Clark (visiting professor, Tokyo University) and Suzuki (English, University of Tokyo) note that, although William Blake never traveled outside England, his imagination roamed the world. The articles in this book are by scholars from both East and West. Some suggest oriental and African influences on Blake's work, both poetry and art. Others trace the lesser-known influence his work had on artists in early twentieth-century Japan. Blake, the individual genius, was able to resonate in individual artists and poets in a totally different culture. As the Afterward suggests, these new views of Blake can reveal a great deal about societal preconceptions. The essays may change the way scholars think of Blake and his world. This is a paper reprint of the 2006 cloth original edition. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Steve Clark is Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo.Masashi Suzuki is Professor in the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University and is ex-President of the Japan Association of English Romanticism