Japan and Paris demonstrates the deep cross-cultural nature of art in Japan from about 1880 to 1930. Illustrated with masterpieces from Japanese collections by Matisse, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Corot, Cézanne, and Monet, it explores the history of collecting Western art in Japan and its influence on Japanese modern art. In particular, it addresses the development of Western-style modernist impulses as Japan's early interest in the Barbizon School extended to include modes of expression such as Impressionism, Postimpressionism, Symbolism, Cubism, and Fauvism. In addition to showcasing works by some of the best-known French and European painters, works by Japanese artists who were instrumental in the introduction of Western modes of expression to Japan are included, such as Kojima Zenzaburo, Kume Keiichiro, Maeta Kanji, Mitsutani Kunishiro, and Fujita Tsuguharu.

Christine M. E. Guth and Alicia Volk are independent scholars. Emiko Yamanashi is head of the Trans-Disciplinary Research Section, Department of Fine Arts, National Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Tokyo.