The Japanese woodblock print is a phenomenon with no Western equivalent, one where breathtaking landscapes exist alongside blush-inducing erotica where demons and otherworldly creatures torment the living and where sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, an d courtesans are rock stars. This XXL book lifts the veil on a much-loved but little-understood art, revealing the stories and people behind the 200 most exceptional prints from 1680-1938. Drawing from the finest impressions in museums and private co llections around the world, it features the work of 89 artists as well as 17 fold-outs.