The Japanese crane, a most auspicious symbol in Japan, has figured importantly in Japanese culture and art since ancient times, appearing over the centuries in almost every possible medium as a universal sign of goodwill. The title A Thousand Cranes is a metaphor for the spiritual grace and dignity that imbue the ninety art objects and cultural relics described in this lavishly illustrated book. Based on the Seattle Art Museum's world-renowned collection of Japanese art, this volume will enhance the reader's understanding of the cultural milieu in which these beautiful paintings, ceramics, lacquer ware, and screens were created. The engaging text discusses Japan's prehistoric period, highlights the classical taste of the Heian period, recapitulates the turbulent medieval and dynamic early modern periods, and educidates Buddhism's influence on Japanese art and culture.