Studied by 34 people
Japan in an archipelago made up of more than 6,800 islands.
Japan is an ___ made up of more than ___ ___.
Twin gods Izanami & Izanagi
Two gods who created Japan in myths:
Izanami and Izanagi were tasked with procreating to fill empty space, they did not know how to procreate until they saw the wagtail bird's back and forth tail movements; they began to pile sand and eventually created islands
What is the myth of how Japan was created?
Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku
Four largest islands that take up 97% of Japan's land area and are called "home islands":
Leaning towards nature, asymmetrical, imperfection
What are the 3 main aspects of Japanese aesthetics in art?
Leaving the material as it is and how it forms
What is the layering technique?
Japanization = combining Chinese and Korean influence to make something fit with Japanese principles and aesthetics; often called "Yamato-é"
What is Japanization and what is the umbrella term for it?
Minimalism, imperfection, asymmetry
What are 3 main aspects of Japanization aesthetics?
Jomon Culture = "cord impressed" clay pots Way of life: mesolithic = hunting/fishing Nomadic Culture; built stone circles/sundial burial pits
What is the first time period (11,000 BCE to 400 BCE) and describe:
what name means/what they were known for
way of life
what kind of culture
Yayoi Culture Known for: wheel-thrown pottery, haniwas, knew baking, metallurgy to protect against conflict ex. helmets, arrows, armour Culture: advancing to beginnings of settlement and agrarian culture
What is the second time period (400 BCE to 300 CE) and describe:
what name means/what they were known for
what type of culture
Marine inspired design, flowing water design
What is Ryusui?
Essence, "spirit" found everywhere in nature; ex. trees have "treeness", because nature is seen as pure
What is Kami at the end of Yayoi?
yaoyorozu no kami = 8 million kami
How many kami are there believed to be and what is this called?
Bronze ritualistic bell; best excavated examples of sophisticated metal work
What is the Dotaku Bell?
Specially crafted statues & figurines placed around burial ground
What are Haniwas during Yayoi period?
Kofun Culture = huge mounded tombs, first round then "keyhole" shaped
Developed culture & society with kingdoms emerging through conflict
Advanced metallurgy; armour, shields, helmets
What is the third time period (300 CE to 710 CE) and describe:
what name means/what they were known for
what kind of culture
Daisen Kofun/Tomb in Osaka built for Emperor Nintoku; surrounded by haniwas and 3 moats and is not allowed to be excavated/disturbed at all, completely private to visitors
What is the largest Kofun, and who is it for?
Design with straight lines and arcs
Define Chokkomon style
Changed to anthropomorphic figures and later human figures for rituals
What are Haniwas during Kofun period?
"way of the gods" or "path of the spirits" "way of the kami"
begins at end of Yayoi into beginning of Kofun (660 BCE)
comes from Chinese word "Shendao"; shin = spirit/kami, dao = philosophical path/study
kami and nature are important principles
What is Shintoism and when did it start?
Codified in the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters, 712 CE) and Nihon Shoki/Nihon-gi (Chronicles of Japan, 720 CE) in 8th century BCE
When and in what text was Shinto codified?
Harae = purification, cleanse yourself of sins, rebirth, appease Kami; done by priest = kannushi
What is the most important Shinto ritual/idea and what is it called?
Kannagara or kami-no-michi = knowing/reaching the gods
Sincerity (makoto)
honesty (tadashii)
purity (kiyome)
aside: sins are called impurity or kegare
What is the term that refers way of the kami and what are the 3 principles?
Built shrines as a house for the kami to dwell in
Kamidana: shelf inside to house greatest kami
Why did they build Shinto shrines and what is a kamidana?
Torii gates: symbolizes leaving behind the worldly world and all its distractions to reach jinja and reach the sacred space (walk a long way to leave behind worldly aspects)
What is the first thing you will see upon approach of a Shinto shrine and its symbolism?
Water, used in large basin to wash mouth and hands to purify yourself before entrance
What is temizu in the shrine?
Stand in front and clap/ring bell to awaken kami and begin to pray
What is the first thing you do when you enter the shrine?
Amaterasu = Sun Goddess, ancestor of Imperial family Brother: Susanoo = Storm god, causes and protects from disaster
Who is the greatest of the kami and her brother?
Ujigami = ancestors of clans who are ancestors and protectors
natural objects and creatures, forces of nature
souls of dead humans with outstanding achievement
Three types of kami:
Prince Siddartha, Indian prince born around 4th-5th century BCE who leaves kingdom and has 3 encounters which change his life forever
Who was Buddha originally and when was he born?
Old person in pain, wants to be able to walk; encounters desire and pain and suffering
Diseased person, wishes for health; encounters desire and pain and suffering
Dead person; encounters death, mourning, attachment, pain and suffering
What are Siddartha's three encounters on his journey?
All life is sorrowful.
The cause for the suffering is desire, attachments, cravings (trsna), ignorance (avidya), and never being satisfied, etc.
One must cease the suffering.
One must follow the Middle/8-Fold Path (avoiding extremes, doing everything the right way, right duties, right knowledge and behavior)
What are the 4 Noble Truths?
Remember: No matter the school of thought, these NEVER change.
Yana = boat Samsara = cycle of life
to achieve nirvana, you must ferry across the rushing river of samsara, and never look back to detach from the worldly world
What is the idea behind "Yana" and the "rushing river of Samsara"?
someone on the cusp/threshold of achieving Nirvana, either cannot fully achieve or holds self back in order to teach Buddha's teachings to others
Define Bodhisattva:
candles flicker constantly, you must blow out the flame to rid yourself of distraction and not look back
What is the symbolism of a candle in Buddhism?
around 6th century CE
Prince Shotoku brings it from China via the Silk Road and scholars he sent to China and it was then Japanized
Mahayana: great ferryboat, Buddha has become divine and iconic shown in human form
When and how does Buddhism become popular in Japan and what is this phase called?
mounds built originally by Prince Ashoka in India said to contain Buddha's ashes; represents PariNirvana (death of Buddha) in hinayana phase of Buddhism
Define stupa:
Asuka-Nara phase: capitol moves
Kami becomes humanized
Focus on Gods instead of natural essence
Prince Shotoku brings Buddhism to Japan
Begin building Buddhist temples
What is the fourth time period (552 to 645 BCE) and its characteristics?
Horyu-ji
built in 607 CE by Prince Shotoku
completely wooden
Japanized setup = horizontal instead of vertical, simplistic, asymmetrical, rustic
What is the first/oldest Buddhist temple built in Japan and its characteristics?
Pagoda: influenced by stupas
Yumedono: private prayer hall
Kondo: main hall/golden hall, where the Buddha is housed
What are the 3 main buildings at Horyu-ji?
Yakushi Nyorai, the healer Buddha
Who is the Buddha in Horyu-ji?
The bell, there was a fire in the 9th century and everything had to be rebuilt. Relics are now housed in the museum with copies in the temples
What is the only original piece left in Horyu-ji and why?
Columns built narrow at the top and bottom and wider in the middle, all made of cypress trees, 80 plus columns supporting kondo
What is the entasis style in Horyu-ji?
Checkerboard style design on ceilings
What is coffering?
Shown garish and ferocious
Trample ignorance & the unfaithful
Guard both sides of entrance to temple
Carry lassos, spears, and stupa
Called 4 Kings
Sometimes one with mouth open, one with mouth closed to show beginnings and end aka samsara
Describe the guardian figures at Horyu-ji and Todai-ji:
4 color laquer painting; used for paintings that depict previous lives of Buddha called Jataka tales (animal fables with moralistic purpose) ex. Mahashewatajataka, or tigress tale
What is Mitsuda-é technique and how is it used in the Horyu-ji temple?
Chinese
Harsher, cleaner lines, more majestic, symmetrical Korean
Rustic, imperfect, natural
What is the difference between Chinese influence and Korean influence?
Todai-ji Temple aka Great Eastern Temple
Commissioned by Emperor Shomu in the 740s CE
What is the second temple that at the time was the largest project ever built in Japan, who was it commissioned by, and when?
Twin pagodas
Main hall = Hondo/Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
Great South Gate (Nandaimon)
What are the 3 main buildings in Todai-ji?
Rushana Buddha (universal light) / Daibutsuden / Vairocana (enlightened)
Hand gesture: Abhayamudra = do not fear, blessings not to fear
Was HUGE, Emp. Shomu completely depleted all available copper in Japan to build; was built in several stages
Who is the Buddha in Todai-ji, what hand gesture does it have, and what is special about it?
It has a hole cut out the size of the Buddha's nostril, and if you can fit through it, you are said to leave all your sins and impurities behind
What is special about one particular column in Todai-ji?
Warihagi technique: uses positive and negative side molds/templates
What is the technique that emerges called to "mass-produce" Buddha statues and how?
schools of Buddhism emerging (Shingon and Tendai Lotus)
sculptures in Jogen Warihagi style
classical period of Japanese art, secular and religious paintings
Gods and Goddesses influencing art
How is the Early Heian (794-1185 CE) defined and what stands out about it?
Tendai Lotus School
"salvation for ALL"
reading the sutras (Lotus Sutras), meditation, religious practice
What school of Buddhism was founded by the scholar Saicho, what was the main message of the school, and what did they believe in doing to achieve salvation? (Early Heian)
Shingon School; Shingon = MANTRA
Very exclusive school, believed in mantras and "true word"
Could only achieve salvation through chanting mantras which were oral traditions passed down from teacher to pupil; used womb mandala paintings
What school of Buddhism was founded by Kukai, what was the main message of the school, and what did they believe in doing to achieve salvation? (Early Heian)
Supreme Buddha in center of lotus surrounded by other Buddha's
Mandala represents the universe, always a circle within a square, womb is from where everything starts
Used by Shingon school to look at and chant mantras
What were womb mandala paintings, what did they represent, and what were they used for at the _____ School? (Early Heian)
Dainichi Buddha, always shown with wisdom fist and a crown to differentiate between other Buddha
Who is the "Supreme Buddha" of the Shingon School and what hand gesture? (Early Heian)
Bringer of light and wisdom, always shown blue, sword, lasso, ferocious face, protects Buddhism
Shingon School
What is the Fudo Myoo/Blue Fudo and what school was he popular with? (Early Heian)
Fujiwara clan
Who is the most powerful clan during the Middle Heian period?
Fujiwara castle/resting place converted into a shrine
What is the Great Phoenix Hall? (Middle Heian)
Raigo-Zu paintings: depict Amida Buddha coming down from the Heavens to get his disciples' souls
Used for Nembutsu practice = ceaseless recitation
What are the religious paintings of the Middle Heian period and what are they used for?
Amida Buddha = welcoming Buddha
One hand welcoming, one hand imparting knowledge
Made of wood painted in actual gold
Downcast eyes
Has night & day bodhisetvas on either side
Who is the Buddha depicted in Raigo-Zu and what are his characteristics? (Middle Heian)
Painting depicting the 9 gredations Amida Buddha comes down from and through the Samsara / cloud formations
What is Haya-Raigo? (Middle Heian)
Tales of Genji by Murasaki; unscroll and read part by part
What is the best example of secular paintings from the Fujiwara clan? (Middle Heian)
Feminine, intimate and privately displayed
What is the onna-é style under yamato-é? (Middle Heian)
Mono-no-aware/emaki-mono: pregnant moment before storm, controlled tension, no drama or spectacle, pathos, emotional shorthand
Fuki-Nuki-Yatai: No ceiling, bird's eye view, perspective
Hikime-Kagihana: Line-hook nose features, show very subtle emotional nuances
What are the 3 main characteristics of onna-é? (Middle Heian)
Masculine style, chaotic/agitative, displayed in public, has moralistic message
Chaos shown through movement of broken lines, hand gestures, and facial expressions
What is otoko-é style under yamato-é and its characteristics and how are they shown? (Late Heian)
Didactic (educational) Buddhist with moralistic message
What is rokudo-é under otoko-é? (Late Heian)
Monochrome art depicting frolicking animals in humorous and cynical way that teaches lesson
What is hakubyo tradition under otoko-é? (Late Heian)
Religious Amida Buddha painting with hidden text
What is Ashide? (Late Heian)
Layers of gold foil, paper dyed in many shades; used in RELIGIOUS paintings
What is Kirigane? (Late Heian)
Mythological and historical scrolls, layers of color gradation, laborious coloring, very narrative
What is Tsukuri-é? (Late Heian)
Yuritomo Minamoto declares himself 1st Shogun, creates a Bakufu (dictatorship)
Samurai begin to become powerful
Zen Buddhism becomes popular
How is the Kamakura & Muromachi period (1185-1573 CE) defined and what stands out about it?
Influences from China (Song dynasty) = heightened realism
Portraits & Realism
How does the art style begin to change in Kamakura & Muromachi time?
feminine hand painting; calligraphy, flowing and loose
What is Kana-onnade? (Kamakura & Muromachi)
Japanese poetry written in kana-onnade style
What is waka? (Kamakura & Muromachi)
laquer paintings, colored gold, silver dusting
What is Maki-é? (Kamakura & Muromachi)
Comes from Chan Buddhism from China
Zen = Dhyana = meditation
Becomes popular with samurai clan
Complete meditation, devotion, to be totally within yourself, self-realization
Define Zen Buddhism:
Zen dry garden
No water involved
Used for peaceful meditation
Pebbles represent water while rocks represent islands and usually present in odd #s
What is a Karesansui?
Shizen: natural
Fukinsei: asymmetrical
Kanso: simplicity, less is more
Yugen: subtly profound
Datsuzoku: unworldliness
Seijaku: quiet
Koko: bare essentials
Contrast
Lines
Layers of Time
Meigakure: viewing angles
Ma: empty space
What are the 12 aesthetics of a Zen Dry Garden?
Natural, not pretentious, not manmade
What is Shizen?
Asymmetrical, odd numbers, achieves naturalness
What is Fukinsei?
Simplicity, "less is more"
What is Kanso?
The ability to draw an imaginary triangle between any three elements in the garden
What is "The Triangle" in a Dry Garden?
Subtly profound, suggestion, graceful
Yu = grace, Gen = profound
Felt with the heart not seen with the eyes
What is Yugen?
Unworldliness, no worldly aspects
What is Datsuzoku?
Quiet, calm, silent
What is Seijaku?
Bare essentials, maturity, ex. water is important in the garden but raked pebbles can create the impression of this
What is Koko?
Contrast creates tension, tension gives way to energy and harmony
Why is contrast important in the Dry Garden?
Perpendicular lines = tranquility
Diagonal lines = tension
Curves = softening
Why are lines important in the Dry Garden?
Leaving garden to natural passing of time, climate, weathering
What are layers of time in the Dry Garden?
Remaining hidden from ordinary view
There is a best viewing angle, and if you find this you control your viewers approach
"Rounding the corner" to fill in what may come next
What is Meigakure?
Concept of artistic interpretation of empty space
"Music happens between the notes"
Negative space between, without this negative space there is no art
What is the concept of Ma?
Subdued taste, simplicity
Finding beauty in asymmetry and uneven/unbalanced things
What is the concept of Wabi?
Rustic simplicity, mellow
Beauty of aged things ex. patina, speaks of impermanence of life through passing of time
What is the concept of Sabi?
controlled or shaped by man
What is the concept of Shin?
things in natural state
What is the concept of So?
blending of shin (manmade) and so (natural) to compliment each other
What is the concept of Gyo?
Children are free from thought of judgement or consequence, so they act on instinct without thinking
What does it mean to be "childlike" in Zen Buddhism?
You are so conscious of your actions that you simply do them, you have become one so you are at your core unconscious of what you are doing
What does it mean to be so conscious that you are unconscious in Zen Buddhism?
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