eastasianartgrade8-161104152451-1

Art of East Asia

Objectives

• Understand characteristics of arts and crafts in East Asia, focusing on:

  • China: Chinese painting and calligraphy

  • Japan: Origami, woodblock printing, theater masks, face painting, anime, and manga

  • Korea: Theater masks, paper arts, knot tying

Geography of East Asia

• Countries Covered:

  • Mongolia

  • North Korea

  • China

  • South Korea

  • Japan

  • Taiwan

Painting in East Asia

Chinese Painting Themes

• Common subjects include:

  1. Flowers and birds

  2. Landscapes

  3. Palaces and temples

  4. Human figures

  5. Animals

  6. Bamboos and stones

• Landscape painting is regarded as the highest form of art.

• The three concepts of Chinese art are Nature, Heaven, and Humankind, often represented through the Yin Yang symbolism.

Japanese Painting Themes

• Focus on:

  1. Everyday life scenes

  2. Narrative scenes with crowded figures and intricate details

Korean Painting Themes

• Highlights include:

  1. Landscape paintings

  2. Minhwa (folk paintings)

  3. Four Gracious Plants (plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums, bamboo)

  4. Portraits

Calligraphy in East Asia

• Chinese Calligraphy:

  • Art of beautiful handwriting using techniques similar to painting.

  • Traditionally done with a brush and ink.

  • Historical roots trace back to ancient symbols found on bones and shells (jiaguwen).

  • The legendary inventor of writing, Cangjie, was inspired by nature.

Architectural Elements in East Asia

• Roof Designs:

  • Sweeping roofs believed to protect from elements and ward off evil spirits.

  • Three types of roofs in traditional Chinese architecture:

    1. Straight inclined: economical and common.

    2. Multi-inclined: used for wealthy residences.

    3. Sweeping: reserved for temples and palaces; notable curves at corners.

Woodblock Printing

• Popular and historic visual art form in East Asia.

• Japanese Ukiyo-e:

  • Term meaning "pictures of the floating world."

  • Depicts scenes of harmony and carefree living.

  • Initially an art form for the elite, later became widespread among common people.

Face Painting and Masks

• Kabuki Makeup (Japan):

  • Types:

    1. Standard makeup for most actors.

    2. Kumadori: dramatic lines for villains/heroes.

  • Color meanings:

    • Dark red = passion

    • Dark blue = depression

    • Pink = youth

    • Light green = calm

    • Black = fear

    • Purple = nobility

• Peking Opera Makeup (China):

  • Uses colors and designs to represent characters’ traits.

  • Each color indicates specific personality attributes (e.g., red for loyalty, black for roughness).

• Korean Masks:

  • Tal or T'al with original religious significance.

  • Color roles in masks symbolize age, race, and familial lineage.

Paper Arts and Knot Tying

• Cai Lun's Contribution:

  • Invented paper in 1st Century AD, aiding economical painting and writing.

• Chinese Folk Arts:

  • Paper arts include:

    1. Paper cutting

    2. Chinese knots

    3. Paper folding

    4. Paper kites

• Kite Making:

  • Traditionally made of silk or paper; signifies artistic skill and recreation.

  • Historical significance noted by Joseph Needham.

• Knot Tying:

  • Korean decorative knotwork known as Maedeup.

  • In Japan, knot tying is called Hanamusubi, focusing on braiding and individual knots.