ArtHistory 42C Final

Flashcards covering key artists, artworks, and concepts from the Edo and Meiji periods of Japanese art, including Ukiyo-e, lacquerware, Meiji architecture, wartime art, and contemporary artistic trends.

Who was Hokusai?

A famous artist from the late Edo Period (1760-1849) known for motifs of immortality and celebrated for Ukiyo-e genre.

What are some key details about Hokusai's life and art?

He changed his name several times, moved to 93 different residences, lived to 89 years old, and created an estimated 50,000 different images, mostly woodblock prints.

What is Ukiyo-e?

Pictures of the floating world, a genre in Japanese art.

What are the common subjects in the Ukiyo-e genre?

Mt. Fuji, 100 Poets, Birds, and Ghosts

What is the name and date of Hokusai's famous print featuring a large wave?

In the Hollow of a Wave of the Coast at Kanagawa, AKA: The Great Wave, 1830-1833

What is the composition of The Great Wave by Hokusai?

A rectangle with the wave taking up the majority of the canvas, Mt. Fuji placed in between a valley of the waves, utilizes saccades, and organization of the picture configures to the pyramid.

What material is distinctive to Hokusai’s “The Great Wave”?

Prussian blue, a novelty color imported into Japan from Germany

What was something that inspired Hokusai when he developed maritime imagery?

European art coming into Japan from Europe.

What does Mt. Fuji symbolize in Japanese art, according to the lecture?

Not only is it hallowed, but its name puns on “no death.”

What series is 'The Great Wave' part of?

36 Views of Mt. Fuji

During the Edo period, what was the most important road called?

Tokaido

One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji depicts what about Hokusai at the time of its production?

At this time, Hokusai was seen as a symbol of immortality as he was getting really old

What is unique about the book One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji?

Book bound together by a spine and connected w/ silk threads, the book has no color, and has 3 volumes with 100 views of Mt. Fuji.

What is noteable about Hokusai's depiction of Fuji from the Mountains of Totomi Province?

Mt. Fuji is incorporated into this complicated, puzzle-like composition and focuses on three guys cutting down a tree with one guy cutting the branch another guy is sitting on.

What skill did Hokusai boast in One-Brushtroke Picturebook?

Tour de force, a boastful confidence in his skills Renders a crane w/ one brushstroke

What did ‘Quick Lessons in Simplified Drawing’ teach?

Book teaching used pedagogy to structure and conceptualize shapes into the skeleton of the picture and break down the complex aspects of the world into simple geometrical figures

Summarize the story behind the ghost Kohada?

Kabuki actor played a ghost on stage where he was killed on a boat by his wife and her boyfriend. Koheiji came back as a real ghost, looking over the mosquito net lit on fire, to drove his ex and her boyfriend into insanity.

Summarize the story behind Sarayashiki (House of Plates)

Maid/servant in the Aoyama household ■ Wealthy samurai household was falsely accused by her master of breaking one of the ten grey heirlooms where he cut off her middle finger then threw her into the well ■ Died and became a ghost, coming back for revenge with her snake-like neck made of plates she was accused of breaking

What is Lacquer and name the period it was used?

Edo Period (1615-1868) A matrix used for gold, capable of holding tiny particles of gold.

What plant is important to Lacquerware?

Rhus verniciflua, The lacquer tree” or urushi

What is maik-e?

“Sprinkled picture,” images made by sprinkling small particles of gold into lacquer before hardening, serving as an adhesive

What are some kinds of Lacquerware writing boxes?

Writing boxes (suzuribako), Hand box (tebako), and Seal case (inro)

What is significant about lacquere workers

People built up immunities against the poison so lacquer working became hereditary

When does the lacquer tree release its sap?

Between June and October, Choose a year that is >10 years old

After lacquer is heated and poured into a centrifuge, what does this process do,?

Spin helps separate high-grade lacquer from low-grade lacquer where you can add coloring to the lacquer

Name four Lacquer techniques used after the piece is done, for decoration:

Sprinkle Picture (maki-e), Pear Skin (nashi-ji), Flat Gold Particles (Okibirame), and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (Raden)

Describe Sprinkle Picture (maki-e) lacquer technique

Gives almost a solid gold expression, or a reflection on the ridges. Sprinkled on when lacquer is tacky and not completely dry yet

Describe Pear Skin (nashi-ji) lacquer technique

Larger particles of gold sprinkled on and hit the tacky surface, Land in different orientations, causing a variable effect on the object

Describe Flat Gold Particles (Okibirame) lacquer technique

Some particles cut into perfect shapes or squares and are delicately placed into the piece, forms a tiny, textured, and deliberate pattern

Hosoge Negoro Lacquer results into a an orangish-red color from what material?

Cinnabar

Elaborate on some symbolic elements of the writing equipment gold art during the 8th c.

Used for writing equipment and materials and symbolic of wealth and prestige, they serve as heirlooms that no one uses.

Describe the process of ink making during in the writing boxes in the 8th c.

Pour some water into the well carved into the stone ■ Able to rub the dry brick of ink onto the stone surface and create an ink solution

Name two poems featured inside of the writing boxes:

“At Waka Bay, the tide flows in, covering the sandbars as cranes fly toward a bed of reeds, crying.” and “Plovers that dwell on the beach of Sashide, nearby Mount Shio, chirp ‘ya-chiyo,’ wishing the emperor a long reign.”

What does a trousseau mean?

An object associated with marriage when the Family of the bride often sets her up with a trousseau, a very lavish object

Compartments inside the cosmetic container of the hand boxes contain what?

3 cylindrical and 3 boxes, also a drawer containing a mirror. Things like powder and razors kept inside

What was the purpose of the Incense Pillow (Komakura)

Before going to bed, you would light some incense inside the box and rest your head on this box to perfume your hair overnight

What is the significance of Meiji Restoration?

Each piece of grass creates a nice effect on the box when the thought behind this box comes from the Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi after he had a dream

What is the importance of the Meiji Period?

Remarkable period of Japanese art history, representing an extremely dramatic transformation of almost every aspect of Japanese art and culture compared to preceding periods.

What was a core concept of the Meiji Period?

Westernization of Japanese culture.

Give examples Josiah Conder's Architecture in the Miji Period:

ART MUSEUM 1881 and CLUBHOUSE 1883 with Pseudo-Saracenic and Eclectic European Style respectively

Give examples of TATSUNO Kingo and KATAYAMA Tokuma's Architecture in the Miji Period:

BANK 1896 and PALACE 1909 with Neo-Baroque Style respectively

What caused the Revamped banking system, finances, art, architecture, mannerisms, clothing, basically everything during the Miji period?

Coup d’état - Group of high-ranking samurai take the emperor from Kyoto and bring him to Tokyo because they felt threatened by European and American military ships

What was the purpose of the Meiji Restoration?

Restore Japanese sovereignty which was diminished by U.S., France, Russia, Netherlands, and Great Britain's unequal treaties.

Define iconography of architecture:

Symmetrical facade utilizes Psuedo - fake architectural style of Saracenic (middle east architecture)

Besides oriental, what design was an alterntaive option to designing brick buildings?

Indo-Saracenic Style where elaborate cupolas or pavilions are utilzied in a pseudo-saracenic style

Define a building with multifoil arch and ogee arch elements, what style would that be?

Psuedo-saracenic

During the Miji period where was water displayed in public space?

Fountains

What was used an exciting new technology and part of the idea of the bright red dye?

Nocturnal illumination of gas lamps

What was Rokumeikan?

Josiah Conder's Rokumeikan, Tokyo was built beacuse Unequal treaties were an insult to the Japanese government and was a symbol of weakness. It was a place for foreign dignitaries to stay which commanded respect during Japanese political discusions

Who was INOUE Kaoru?

Foreign minister of Japan and one of the top oligarchs who Came up with an idea to sit down with the visiting dignitaries coming to Tokyo and change the unfortunate situation in Tokyo

Which country's national bank was copied for the Meiji state?

National bank of Belgium

Define Aedicula:

Architectural frame put on important details of the building that contains Two columns and a triangular pediment on top

Define Rustication in architecture:

Different types of stone such as granite at the lower levels were rough and bumpy, at the upper levels they were more smooth and flattened out

List the Meiji Modern Vocabulary

-Woodblock print
-Architecture
-Black Ships - steam-driven ships, regarded as black ships by Japanese viewers
-Bustle - undergarments
-Synchronicity - comes from an important exhibition held in 3 U.S. cities, where 170 images from Meiji, Japan were developed for this exhibition
-Neo Baroque Style - style/aesthetic from Baroque works
-Gold Standard - gold is also a non-art phenomenon

Utagawa SADAHIDE's art depicts what about Yokohoma at the time?

Panaromic image of Yokohama’s traders where foreign powers could bring their ships and trade

Shōsai IKKEI's art depicts what in the Miji Period?

Evolution of technology with Trictch style due to the arrival of foreigners

Tsuioka YOSHITOSHI's art depicts what?

This text goes back to the 8th century portraying Ancient texts’ rendition of a god named Susanoo no Mikoto who kills an eight-headed serpent by getting it drunk

Toyohara CHIKANOBU's art depicts what?

Concert of European Culture showing European fashion and decor

Explain Toyohara CHIKANOBU's A Collection of Pictures of Chignon Wigs to Put On:

Portrays a Program from the higher government from the empress saying to wear Western style clothes now

Katayama Tokuma's Akasaka Detached Palace architect was influenced by what?

Neue Hofburg, Vienna

Define Acroteria:

Sculptures/ornaments installed on top of the building which are Part of Neo Baroque architecture

Meiji Bronze Era was influenced by what events?

Export Art, Worlds Fairs, Kiritsu Kōshō Kaisha Company for the Establishment of Commerce and Industry, and Kōro (incense burner)

Bronze came to be used in different ways due to what two characteristics?

Patina - coloration of surface of metal, Shakudo, and Shibuichi

During the World’s fair, why was Gottfried Wagener, a German chemist, imported?

World’s fair is an important event where other nations judge you with what you bring to the table

Describe the Incense Burner (Koro) aesthetic:

Holes in the lid allow fragrance to come out with different depictions of deities that incorporate an elaborate pedestal.

Japanese metallurgies were good at colorizing metal with what process?:

Dip metal in an acidic solution and treating the surface color

What defines Shibuichi?

Dull gray, slightly grayish tint

What defines Shakudo?

Reddish color that melted down copper and gold

Define Nunomei zougan:

“Fabric inlay” which used to Roughen up the iron/bronze by scoring it or scratching it while incorporating Take small piece of silver or gold wire/sheets that are hammered in with Thin coats of lacquer

What were the backlashes against the westernized nation during the Meiji period?

People saw it as alienating, a foreign culture gone too far into their culture where Nihonga was more seen

What were the 4 Stages of Western Painting in Japan:

1. Book learning, Shiba KŌKAN (Dutch)
2. Technical Art School, TAKAHASHI Yū’ichi (Italian)
3. Study in Europe, KURODA Seiki (French)
4. Following, KURODA Seiki (French)

Ernst FENOLLOSA felt that…

Western art worthless and Japanese art far superior

What was important developments came out of the Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War?

Searchlights, Steam-driven battleships, Telegraph, and Seamines

What wartime mediums were used during the Sino-Japanese War during the Meiji Period?:

Oil Painting, Lithography, and Photography

During the Sino-Japanese War, Types of Imagery displayed themes such as what?

Sea Battles, Heroes, Explosions, Death, and Surrender

The absence of outlines showed what during the Sino-Japanese imagery with Our Fleet Sinks a Chinese Warship, Yellow Sea, Koboyashi KIYOCHIKA, Oct 1894?:

Influence of emerging technology

Multiple versions of Japan seemed to coexist in the same space due to…

Chelsea Foxwell, “Toward Synchronicity: Meiji Art in Transition,” Meiji modern, p. 14

According to text from HIGUCHI, Mizuno TOSHIKATA, triptych of woodblock prints, 1895 what characterizations are used for classification?:

Classifying the distinction of the enemy and the heroes where Japanese wore modern uniforms and Chinese wearing traditional looking costumes.

What is Lithography?

Limestone picks up oil used to drawn on

What kind of mockery does Georges Bigot utilize in The Dream, Empire of Asia, 1904 Postcard:

visual culture of war also features anti-heroes with Grotesque caricatures that mocked the Field Marshal image

The avant-garde and creative prints periods were influenced by what two historical periods?

Taishō Democracy and Fascism

Who were the founds of the Sōsaku Hanga creative prints period in the 1910s - 1960s?

ONCHI Kōshirō, AZECHI Umetarō, and MUNAKATA Shikō

Unlike the new prints, Creative Prints use what style?

Self-designed, self-carved, self-printed

The UTMARO, The Flirt art style later influenced what similar print?

KOBAYAKAWA Kiyoshi, Tipsy, Styles of Contemporary Makeup, 1930

TheONCHI Kōshirō, Shadow Falling from the Sky print utilzes what new style?:

Abstraction prints that is ambiguous and hard to decode what exactly is printed

Ono Tadashige's art is known form what proletarian style:

Violence and authority with jagged shapes, some kind of conflict

After World War 2, what art objects were admired/bought by Americans from Japan?:

Portrait of HAGIWARA and AZECHI Umetarō prints as part of occupational forces

MUNAKATA Shikō woodblock printing was made by what process?:

Was extremely near-sighted who Carved wood directly without a drawing or preliminary painting that was transferred

HIROSHIGE, Fireworks at Ryōgokku, from the series: 100 Famous Views of Edo, 1858 is known for what?:

Japonisme

What are common characterisitcs of the Avant-Garde art period?:

Progressivism, Nihilism, and Antagonism

What style best describes GUTAI (1954 - 1972) art?:

Concreteness

What style best describes MONO-HA (1968-1972) art?:

Philosophical

Yoshihara talks about works of art as…

monsters that are made of matter called paint, of cloth, metals, earth, and marble, which through a meaningless act

TANAKA Atsuko, Electric Dress is considered what?:

Feminist commentary about Utilizing matter of technology to make a dress that is read as feminist

Mono-Ha focused on what?

Philosophically oriented, focusing on matter
-Art understood as “non-art”
-Denouncing the very idea of creative action

Stone, Water, and Steel are key characteristic of which artist?:

Isamu-Noguchi

Noguchi's Kouros, 1944 - 45, Pink Georgia marble, reflects his historical conditions of what events?:

1945, final year of WWII when U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan

In Isamu Noguchi, The Void, 1970, Marble uses what kind of assembly technollogy?:

Post-tensioning technology used to put this together which Involves running a steel cable/rod through stone

What inspired Noguchi to make tactile art around the earth?:

Related to the tactile quality of living in the city of very little opportunity to touch the Earth because of all the concrete

Noguchi, Dodge Fountain and Phillip Hart Plaza Detroit fountain took inspiration from what famous fountain?:

Barcelona Fountain