Japan Art

Influence of Japanese Art on Western Art

• earliest major non-western influence on western art

• Japonisme - CRAZE for all things Japan

• spread of woodblock prints to EU / US

• source for Zen Buddhism

Who helped Japanese influence spread to the west?

Matthew Perry

• American commodore who opened Japan trade to the west

• U.S. wanted access to trading ports in the East

What is Zen Buddhism?

• focuses on meditation (not texts or dogma/teachings)

• goal: meditate → “flash of insight” → enlightenment

• embraced by Samurai (for calm focus & mental discipline during battle)

What is Samurai? What is Shogun?

Samurai: serve Shoguns

Shogun: rule with puppet Emperor

Japanese building materials (for War Lord castles)

• restrained, natural materials (paper, pine wood, bamboo, cedar)

• 3 moats

• large armory

Japanese architecture style

• verticals / horizontals

• earthquake resistant

• fire resistant

• gun / arrow slit windows

• squeaky floors

• fish statues = protection from evil

The Golden Pavilion

• Zen shrine

• covered in gold leaf

• Zen Teahouse

Teahouses

• align with Shinto-based values

• WABI-SABI (appreciation of imperfection & awareness of impermanence)

• humility (bow down when entering)

What are Shinto-based values? Zen values?

Shinto: ancient, nature-based religion w/ kami & spirits

Zen: simplicity, nature, spontaneity

both merge with architectural & garden design!

Tea Ceremony

• WABI SABI

• performance art

• ritual of intention & quiet reflection

Teacups

small, rounded, simple, imperfect ceramics

Katsura Teahouse / Detached Palace

• “artful artlessness” - to make it seem like we’re living in harmony with nature, nature must be controlled

• slow pace & blend into nature

• int. & ext. connected

• irregular moss-covered stepping stones

• encourage contemplation