Japanese Art (Unit 3)

cultural isolation

The main idea dominating Japanese art

before 1630

At this point, Japan had already been isolated, and there were attempts to control the importation of goods, cultures, and ideas, but there was no formal isolation

1630

When the Tokugawa shogunate cut off all contact with the outside world

limited trade

Japan had this with the Chinese when contact with the outside world was cut

miniscule trading port

This was in Nagasaki to allow some trade with the Dutch when Japan cut itself off from the outside world

small fortified part of the port town

The only place foreigners were allowed in Japan

1850s

This is when Japan was forced to open to the outside world

cultural isolation

The state Japan was in from the 1530s to 1850s

Commodore Matthew Perry

Led the Perry Expedition, which forced Japan to open to the outside world

China

Japanese art was strongly influenced by this country’s art in its early years

uniquely Japanese visual language

After Japan is cut off from the outside world, this emerges

use of natural material, focus on nature, perfection of technique

These are the three hallmarks of Japanese art which applied to various art forms

Muromachi Period

Time period marked by the increased following of Zen Buddhism

austerity, discipline, and meditation

The qualities Zen Buddhism emphasizes

meditation

What “zen” itself means

Zen Buddhism

The preferred Buddhist practice among the ruling elites of the Muromachi period

1480s

Time period of the Muromachi period

active and passive

Zen Buddhism believed meditation could be both of these things

active meditation

Examples of this include walking, raking rocks, and arranging pebbles

dry gardens

Zen Buddhist monks created these. Tending and maintaining them was considered a refined, active meditative practice

intellectualized abstractions of nature

What dry gardens were meant to be. Meant to recall nature without being a direct representation of it

Chinese examples

Japanese artists during the Muromachi period were inspired by this at the time

austerity of Zen

Japanese painting during the Muromachi period turned toward monochromatic colors, likely inspired by this

implied space

This combined with minimal details and sparing brushstrokes characterized Japanese painting during the Muromachi period

something being represented by nothing

A big idea in Muromachi painting, drawing upon the poetic simplicity, meditative influence of Zen

Sesshu

Artist who was a trained Zen monk

dedicated art studios

During the Muromachi period, it was increasingly common for Buddhist temples to have these within them, where they would produce artistic expressions of Zen

impressionistic

Sesshu’s work had more of this quality to it than much of Zen painting, with more gestural, less precise lines

bold, dynamic compositions

This element of Sesshu’s pieces is attributed to the time he spend in China and his studies - relatively uncommon for artists to do at the time

lavish residences

Constructed by Momoyama rulers to house the courts

1600s

Time period of the Momoyama Period

heavy fortifications

There was an increasing trend toward this during the late 1500s in architecture

introduction of European muskets/firearms

Believed to have started the Japanese trend toward fortification along with upheaval in the warring factions

consolidation of power under a single leader

Replaces the feudal system of warrior clans after turmoil and upheaval during the Momoyama Period

paradoxical

Element of Japanese fortifications being powerful with a lightness, delicate yet commanding

unobstructed view of the natural world

The path leading up to the Himeji castle requiring navigation of wavy roads, switchbacks, and gates meant to give one this as well as preventing a direct line to the castle in case of invasion

the white heron

Nickname for the Himeji castle

fusion of architecture and decoration

The idea of Japanese architecture - integrating artwork and decorations into the overall design of the room itself

shoji screens

Sliding rice paper and wood room dividers that would allow one to close and open up space

Fusuma

Painted movable paper screens. Became a dynamic and unifying decorative element meant to tie the room together

Tatami

Woven mats that covered the floor where those other than important guests would sit

Tokonoma

Decorative wall set back in a recessed alcove where important guests would sit

Staggered shelves

Used for display of fine objects

rearrangement

Japanese spaces were designed to allow this if needed

fusion of monochromatic landscape painting with narrative painting

The style of art that began to develop during the Momoyama Period

narrative painting

Paintings that tell stories. Has a long, rich history in Japanese art

Chinese landscape painting

New monochromatic painting that came up during the Momoyama period was inspired by this, Zen Buddhism, and narrative painting tradition

crane and pine tree

Symbols of long life

old blooming plum tree

Symbol of the cyclical nature of life and the regenerative power of nature

Japanese tea ceremony

Began being ritualized and standardized during the Momoyama period. Very formal and required ritualistic preparation and consumption, rose alongside Zen Buddhism

small group with diverse backgrounds and interests

The ideal audience for a tea ceremony

refined conversations

What those participating in a Japanese tea ceremony would engage in

setting

Extremely important in tea ceremonies. Should emphasize simplicity with no narrative or distracting elements. Should be rustically refined

default Japanese aesthetic in the West

The aesthetic that emphasized simplicity, rusticness, and natural materials

Raku ware

Uses clay that is gritty and red then fires it at a low temperature in wooden kilns, giving them unpredictable, unique outcomes. Often named after they were withdrawn

objects used

These were the discussion topics of the tea ceremony

aesthetic value and individuality

The qualities of these in each piece used in the tea ceremony were incredibly important

Wabi, sabi, and shibui

The special vocabulary for the elements you wanted works for a tea ceremony to have. Meant to capture ideas one could reflect on while drinking tea and discussing

Wabi

“Poverty” - represents the asymmetry and irregularity of the tea items

sabi

“Loneliness” - represents how each object in the tea ceremony is alone and utterly unique, alone in it of itself

shibui

“bitterness” - represents how the tea is bitter

modern day craft

Takes clear inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic that rose during the Momoyama Period: a style that has a deliberate irregularity to it, honors the materials, and foregrounds them in the process through which they’re shaped

Edo Period

Characterized by increased peace and increased government control - when violence and turmoil began calming down

1600s - early 1700s

Time period of the Edo Period

Tokugawa shogunate

Bans all formal travel during the Edo Period

reinterpretations of traditional styles

What the Rinpa School was known for

Rinpa school style

Traditional, courtly, elite. Perfectly crafted and meant to have a balanced and harmonious composition

strict classes

What Japanese society was divided into during the Edo Period

artistic patronage

Traversed class divides - those from every class participated

elite clientele

Audience of Rinpa School

different styles and schools of art

There was an explosion of this during the Edo Period

emergent merchant class

Fond of the naturalistic school

Western optical technology

It’s possible that naturalistic pieces were inspired by this. These were one of the few things allowed in import

shading and pictorial techniques

These elements common to naturalistic Western art suggests Japanese naturalistic art was influenced by it

Chinese literati style

Japanese paintings were self-consciously inspired by this. Appealed to the intellectual elite

Taoism

The philosophical movement the intellectual elite turned to. Emphasized individuality and communion with nature

Japanese literati style

Similar to Chinese literati in its appeal to the intellectual elite but stressed the uniqueness of the individual who made it. More focused on each artist doing their own thing and approaching subjects in their own way

Ike Taiga

A Japanese literati painter

prints

The most famous works coming out of the Edo Period in the West. Largely bought by working people

woodblock prints

The medium of Hokusai’s works which were incredibly popular

Ukiyo-e prints

Images of everyday life. Weren’t considered fine art until they were available to the West. Considered mass media type works

Hokusai

A master of woodblock form

master design

What the artist would create in woodblock

key block

Term for a woodblock after the carver copied the design in reverse and added registration marks

registration marks

Added by the carver on a woodblock. Indicated who made it and the colors to print it with

book

What the final product of a woodblock was sold as after it was pressed onto paper by the printer and assembled by the publisher

collections

Most woodblocks were meant to be seen and bought as these rather than individual works

bright colors, flatness, bold lines

Characteristics of Hiroshige’s style of Ukiyo-e prints

post-impressionists

The Western artists greatly inspired by Ukiyo-e prints once Japan is forcibly opened to the rest of the world

the floating world

What Ukiyo-e prints often depicted. The world of performers. street scenes, and entertainment - the kind of world one would “float” through

pleasures of the present

The idea of “the floating world” focused on this rather than lofty ideas of Zen Buddhism or Daoism

porcelain

What everyday dishes were made of. Became a major export of Japan

courtly dress

Popular during the Edo Period, conceived as wearable works of art. Handmade and decorated to be utterly unique and individual to the owner

reflects owner’s identity

Artistic Japanese clothing in the Edo Period was meant to reflect this - their character