Art+of+Japan

=Art of Japan=

//from Mr. Bowers AP Art History Courses at East Chapel Hill High School// //this article is about the art and culture of Japan

Key Terms
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**Overview**
The history of Japanese art can be classified into many different periods, each of which has some new cultural transformation. During the Jomon period (11000-400BCE), the world’s first ceramics was produced, which developed into a very popular and long lived pottery style. The next period, the Yayoi period (400BCE-300CE) was introduced by the immigrants from the Asian continent. During this and the Kofun period (300-552CE), there were many technological improvements in the ceramic techniques and in the casting of bronze. Later on, cultural transmissions from China improved, which brought a new system of writing, new architectural techniques and the Buddhist religion. These new cultural transformations all occurred during the Asuka (552-646CE) and the Nara (646-794CE) periods. Mandelas and raigo paintings (from the sects of Escoteric Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism) were prevalent during the Heian period (794-1185 CE). Also a new distinctly Japanese writing system and calligraphy were introduced. The Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE) reflected the warrior culture through ink painting. Syncretism is very prevalent in Japanese art and can be seen throughout the different periods. The Heian period is when the influence of Buddhism can start to be seen spread throughout all mediums of Japanese art. Buddhist art is divided into two subcategories: Esoteric Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism. Japanese writing and calligraphy also became widespread during the Heian period. Paintings of this period commonly show asymmetry and spontaneity. By the end of the Heian period, a warrior class had emerged, and the following Kamakura period was controlled by warlords called shoguns, who used samurai as soldiers. Ink paintings became popular during this time; they reflected restraint and spontaneity of Zen, the new form of Buddhism adopted by the shoguns during this period.

Prehistoric Japan
People first started inhabiting Japan approximately 30,000 years ago. Then, Japan was linked to the land of east Asia forming a ring that spanned from Siberia to Korea. But about 15,000 years ago, after the last ice age, glaciers started melting which caused the sea level to rise and submerged the land connecting Japan to Asia, and Japan became the four islands we know today. After that, the people who inhabited the island evolved and learned to make pottery. The oldest pottery found today is 10,000 years old and was found in Japan.

**Jomon period**
The Jomon Period (1100-400BCE) is named for the patterns on much of the pottery produced during this time, which were made by pressing cord onto damp clay. Jomon ceramics may have begun in imitation of reed baskets. Other early Jomon pots have pointed bottoms. Applying fire to vessels to the sides rather than the bottom allowed the vessels to heat more fully and evenly. During the middle Jomon period, pottery reached a high degree of creativity. The basic form remained straight-sided, but the rim now took on spectacular, flamboyant shapes. Middle Jomon potters made full use of malleable quality of clay, bending and twisting is as well as incising and applying designs. They favored asymmetrical shapes, although certain elements in the geometric are repeated. The vessels display on abundantly artistic spirit. These figures were never fully realistic but rather were distorted into fascinating shapes called dogu. The slit eyes and mouth have a haunting quality, as does the gesture of one hand touching the chest. The Jomon people may have believed that they could transfer an illness or other unhappy experience to a dogu, and then break it to destroy the misfortune.

**Yayoi period**
(this section needs an image...there is one in the book) During the Yayoi (400BCE-300CE) one of the most important transformations of Japan was Japan changing into an agricultural nation, with rice cultivation becoming widespread. This momentous change was stimulated by the arrival of immigrants from Korea, who brought with them more complex forms of society and government. The emergence of a class structure can be dated to the Yayoi period, as can the development of metal technology. The sensitive use of wood and thatch in these shrines suggests an early origin of the Japanese appreciation of natural materials noted in later periods and up to the present.

** Kofun Period **
Kofun, “old tombs,” period is well known for the number of large royal tombs being constructed in this time. With the Korean influences, chamber tombs and artificial hills on top of the tombs were built when an emperor died. When it is finished, grave goods such as pottery were placed inside the chamber to appease the spirits and serve them in the next life. On top of the hill were sculptures called haniwa. At first, they were very simple jars with ceremonial offerings. As time went on, cylinders were made into shapes of objects, houses, boats and even animals. Humans, both males and females of various classes and professions, were also produced. Unlike other tomb ceramics with elaborated designs and such, haniwa were left unglazed to show their plain clay bodies. Simple as well as bold, the figures were never symmetrical in order to emphasize the idea of individuality.

**Shinto Religion**
Shinto is considered to be the indigenous religion of Japan one of the great Shinto monuments is the shrine at Ise, on the coast southwest of Tokyo. The Ise Shrine is one of the greatest monuments on the coast of Southwest Tokyo. It is dedicated to the ancestor of Japan imperial family - sun goddess Amaterasu-o-mi-kami. Every 20 years, the shrine is rebuilt on the two adjoining sites. However, the temple still preserves many features of the granaries of the Yayoi period. When the kami resides in the new copied shrine, the old one is demolished. This shrine promotes features of Shinto architecture such as wooden piles to raise the building, horizontal logs to hold the thatched roof in place, unpainted cypress wood, and a sense of simplicity. In addition, it has the three most significant symbols of Shinto: a sword, a mirror, and a jewel.

**Asuka Period** (552 – 645 CE)
As stated before, Asuka period was an era during which Japan experienced an intense cultural transformation. One of the most significant changes was Buddhism.

**The Introduction of Buddhism**
Buddhism became popular in this period when it was introduced into Japan in the Mahayana form. After the imperial family accepted Buddhism as their religion, it soon became the state religion. This change of state religion had many effects on Japan since Buddhism is so different to Shinto (the previous religious). The Shinto religion found deities in natural areas, thus there was not a certain building that the people worshipped in but Buddhists worshipped in temples which led to a change in the architecture to Chinese-influenced buildings with elaborate iconography.

The Horyu-Ji is one of the most significant Japanese temples. This temple was founded in 607 CE by Prince Shotoku and was rebuilt in 607 after a fire destroyed it. In the Horyu-ji compound there are only two main buildings: the kondo (golden hall where worship and ceremonies take place) and the five story pagoda (reliquary). There are also some monastery buildings outside the main compound such as an outer gate, a lecture hall and a repository. Another treasured possession at the Horyu-ji is the Tamamushi shrine which is decorated with paintings in lacquer. The main temple layout includes a rectangular courtyard enclosed by passageways and one gate, the kondo (golden hall), and the pagoda. This plan is asymmetrical. Nonetheless, the large kondo is balanced by the 5-story slender pagoda. A large amount of Buddhist images were placed inside the kondo for it is used as a worship or ceremonial center. On the other hand, the pagoda is a reliquary. Surrounding this main compound are an outer gate, a lecture hall, a repository for scared texts, a belfry, and monks’ dormitories.

On the panel of the Tamamushi Shrine, the h ungry tigress jataka is portrayed. This panel illustrates one of the many jakata tales (stories of the former life of Buddha). The most notable painting in the shrine is Hungry Tigress Jakata, which illustrates the former Buddha sacrificing himself for the hunger of a tigress and her cubs. This narrative of Jakata Tales, also known as stories of Buddha’s former lives, helped spread this religion in Japan. The slender portrayal of Buddha and the abstract surroundings show a common art style of Buddhism shared in East Asia.

The shaka triad located in the kondo in Horyu-JI is another example of how much Chinese art influenced Japan during the Asuka period. This sculpture was sculpted by Tori Busshi, a third generation Japanese. The sculptor was obviously aware of her earlier continental models because she displays outsized face and hands and linear treatment of drapery but she also uses a fine bronze casting of the figure which shows her advanced technical skill.

Nara Period (645 to 794)
The shift of the seat of political power to Nara refuted previous beliefs that a capital city occupied by a deceased emperor is cursed. The establishment of a permanent capital allowed the central government to increase in size and power rendered old traditions obsolete. The move of the capital city to Nara checked the impulses of the once influential aristocratic families. Therefore Buddhism were able to flourish in concentrated numbers in the new imperial city; erecting a plethora of Buddhist architecture.

Because of the strong central government in Nara, construction of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines began to occur. There was a park constructed in the middle that contains some of the most important ones that still remain to this day, including the Shinto Kasoga Shrine and the Todaji Temple. The Todaiji Temple was considered the headquarters of the network of temples surrounding it. Celebrations and religious ceremonies were held here. Todaiji is considered the grandest of the Buddhist temples. Todaiji, even today, is a a holding ground for many precious Japanese items. Today it holds over 9,000 objects. In the year 756, Emperor Shosoin died and his widow donated over 600 of his personal items to Todaiji, greatly contributing to its massive collection.

The mural of the "Amida Buddha" was representative of the Buddhist artworks during this period; it depicted "the Buddha of the Western Paradise" using thin, even brushstrokes called iron-wire lines. The Buddhist symbolism is portrayed with the elaborate dharmachakra; reflecting the shift from abstract imagery in the Asuka period to higher realism, though falling short of verism. The drapery of the Amida Buddha reflects the sensibilities of India; however, the face exemplifies East Asian features. Buddhism reached to the point to which it almost became a powerful political force in Japan.

The Nara period ended with the moving of the capital to Kyoto. Advisors felt that Buddhism was having too much influence so they decided to move the capitol to Kyoto and authorized limited construction of temples to avoid running into the same problem.

**Heian Period (794 - 1185 CE)**
During this period Japan severed ties with China since there believed they could be self-reliant. They were supported from aristocratic families and the rise of vernacular literature produced the world’s first novel (The Tale of Genji). Also, during this period, two religions emerged: Esoteric Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism. Esoteric Buddhism had to main sects: Tendai and Shingon. Buddha no longer played a great role in the lives of the people of Japan, but rather Japanese religious life was influenced by polytheistic religions such as Hinduism. The Heian Period marked an era in Japan of massive Sinification in the early stages and an reputdiation of Chinese influences in the later era. By easing the influence of powerful neighboring China, Japan was able to develop an unique systematic language characterized by a combination of Chinese characters or kanji and the simple, free form features of hiragana and katakana. Also, Japanese culture started to take a divergent path away from imitation and developed architectural styles and sculpture that stands apart from their Chinese and Korean counterparts. But, also, equally as important is the fact that the Heian Period also maked the shift of political power from Nara to Kyoto. This move reduced the Buddhist hold on politics; however the Buddhist are still influential, though they did not control politics. Buddhism have shifted from an emphasize on individual Buddhas to stressing the polytheistic elements of Buddhism in the form of mandalas, or cosmic diagrams of the universe which depict the “heavens” as Buddhist monks would render it. This new type of Buddhism is called estoeric Buddhism, which is splot along two sub-sects, known as Tendai and Shingon

**Esoteric Buddhism**
The Japanese people believed in many deities, each of which had their own complex relationship to each other.The Womb World Mandala effectively illustrates the newly formed religion. The mandala is completely filled with depictions of Gods with Dainichi as the central figure. They are also some Gods depicted with multiple limbs and Dainichi is surrounded by 4 Buddhas. This mandala, and many esoteric Buddhist images, has a spiritual force with the depiction of these Gods. By indicting each individual Buddha’s powers, Buddhist monks hoped to reach enlightment. Mandalas are known for their spirituality in promoting religious feelings through the intricate usage of circles and spheres and through such characteristics like the fiery red that surrounds the inner most Buddhas of the Womb World Mandala. However, esoteric Buddhism is intended for only the educated aristocrats, because the various Buddhas and doctrines proved to be too complex for the commoner to grasp.

** Pure Land Buddhism **
Pure Land Buddhists believed that the chanting of a mantra would lead to the rebirth in Amida’s paradise. This doctrine soon spread throughout Japan and soon many people, regardless of stature in society, accepted this religion. Pure land Buddhism is still one of the most popular types of Buddhism in Japan. Byodo-in is one of the most famous temples of pure land Buddhism. It was built by the Fujiwara family (leading counselor to empire), but after he died in 1052, it was converted to a temple. This temple is located in the Uji Mountains and rests in front of an artificial lake. The main statue is that of Amida, which was carved using the new joined method of construction. This statue represents the Japanese love of wood and around this main statue of Amida, angels and other small wooden figures play musical instruments.

** 'Women's hand' vs. 'Men's hand' Calligraphy **
(this section needs images...there are several in the book) During the Heian period, a popular type of calligraphy know as the ‘women’s hand’ emerged. It is not known how much of this calligraphy was actually written by women, however, women played a dominant role in the heian period. For example, women wrote prose, poems and novels, although the place of women in the Japanese society would decline in later periods. The ‘women’s hand’ style contained delicate lines, strong colors and asymmetrical compositions. This style of calligraphy often included elements of nature which often connected nature and human emotion. The ‘Men’s hand’ style was also introduced and this, as contrasted to the women’s hand style, was characterized by strong ink play and lively brushwork. Many of these illustrations used animals to portray their scenes.

Calligraphy spurred from the evolution in the Japanese language. The addition of hiragana and katakana along to the already existent kanji helped change the distinctiveness of calligraphy. The kana style of writing (hiragana and katakana) was considered "women's style" while kanji was considered a "men's style"; the elegant curves of hiragana and katakana defined the characteristics of a work of calligraphy called the Album Leaf from the Ishiyama-Gire. The Album Leaf from the Ishiyama-Gire is an example of a piece of calligraphy from women, who contributed much to art in the Heian Court. During the Heian period, the Japanese classaic, The Tale of Genji was authored by Lady Murasaki. In response, a series of artworks depicting scenes in the Tale of Genji was rendered in that was rendered in "women's hand" is a series of scenes from the Japanese classaic, the Tale of Genji. The characteristics of these artworks involve the use of delicate, thin lines, architectural settings, asymmetrical settings set in "blown-away" roofs. These artworks strived to depict emotions indirectly by setting the tone and color of the surroundings, rather than through the expressions on the character's face. In contrast to the "women's hand" style of painting, the "men's hand" painting employed heavy ink stokes and lively lines, "men's hand" style of painting portrayed subjects outside of the aristocratic court life of the Heian Court. Such artworks served to represent and portray life of all different kinds of people with animal with touch of humor. In contrast to the Genji scroll, "men's hand" style does not employ any textual evidence; it is open to interpretation.

Kamakura Period
**Kamakura Period (1185-1333 CE)** The rulers of the Heian era became so into their own refinement that they neglected governing the country. Samurai leaders soon became the real powers in Japan. The two most powerful warrior clans were the Minamoto and the Taira, whose battles for domination became famous not only in medieval Japanese history but also in literature and art.

The Night Attack on Sanjo palace is one of the great painted hand scrolls depicting these battles. This painting perhaps painted 100 years after the actual event, the scroll conveys a sense of eyewitness reporting even though the anonymous artist had to imagine the scenes from verbal descriptions, The Night Attack is action with flames engulfing the palace, horses charging, and warriors beheading their enemies. The era of poetic refinement was now over in Japan, and the samurai began to dominate the secular arts. The Kamakura era began when Minamoto Yorimoto defeated his tiara rivals and assumed power as shogun. This was an example of how the poetic era of Japan began to slowly dissipate from the artistic world while the samurai world took over.

The practice of chanting had been spread throughout Japan by traveling monks such as the Kuya, who encouraged people to chant by going through the courtside singing. Kosho carved six small Buddha’s emerging from Kuya’s mouth in his sculpture, one for each six syllables of Na-mu-A-mi-da-Buts. During the early Kamakura period, Pure Land Buddhism remained the most influential religion and was expressed in the naturalistic style of sculpture.

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