Weeks 1-7/Midterm

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

1. Sincerity (makoto)

2. honesty (tadashii)

3. 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?

1. Old person in pain, wants to be able to walk; encounters desire and pain and suffering

2. Diseased person, wishes for health; encounters desire and pain and suffering

3. Dead person; encounters death, mourning, attachment, pain and suffering

What are Siddartha's three encounters on his journey?

1. All life is sorrowful.

2. The cause for the suffering is desire, attachments, cravings (trsna), ignorance (avidya), and never being satisfied, etc.

3. One must cease the suffering.

4. 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?

1. Twin pagodas

2. Main hall = Hondo/Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)

3. 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)

1. Mono-no-aware/emaki-mono: pregnant moment before storm, controlled tension, no drama or spectacle, pathos, emotional shorthand

2. Fuki-Nuki-Yatai: No ceiling, bird's eye view, perspective

3. 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?