Korea’s Influence on Architecture
Artisans from Baekje provided technical and visual guidance in the Japanese architecture and
arts. Therefore, the temple plans, architectural forms, and iconography were strongly influenced
directly by examples in the ancient Korea. Many of the Japanese temples at that time were
crafted in the Korean style. The Japanese invited artists from the Korean Peninsula to build and
decorate their first palaces and temples.
Among the earliest craft items extant in Japan is the Tamamushi shrine, a magnificent example
of Korean art of that period. The shrine is a miniature two-story temple made of wood, to be
used as a kind of reliquary. This shrine is so named because it was decorated with Korean
indigenous iridescent beetle (Tamamushi) wings set into metal edging, a technique also
practiced the Korea technique of tamamushi inlay.
Architecture
The oldest Japanese Buddhist temple, Asuka-dera, (built in 588) and was modeled upon the
layout and architecture of Baekje Korea.[14][15] The Shitennō-ji Temple was based on types from
the ancient Korea.
In 601, Prince Shōtoku began the construction of his
palace, the first building in Japan to have a tiled roof.
Next to it he built his temple, which became known as
Hōryū-ji. He employed a number of skilled craftsmen,
monks, and designers from Baekje Korea for this
project.[8][18] The temple became his personal
devotional center where he studied with Buddhist
priests from Korea.
Korea’s Influence on Art
Sculpture
One of the most famous sculptures found in Japan today is the
"Kudara Kannon" which, is a wooden statue was either brought from Korea
or carved by a sculptor from Baekje in Korean. This sculpture is a
masterpiece. It formerly stood as the central figure in the Golden Hall at the
Prince Shotoku’s palace. It shows the characteristic Korea elements like its
honeysuckle-lotus pattern, found in artifacts buried in the tomb of King
Munyong of Baekje (reigned 501-523).
Painting
In 588, the Korean painter Baekga (白加) was invited to Japan from Baekje
Korea. In 610 the Korean priest Damjing came to Japan from Goguryeo
and taught the Japanese the technique of preparing pigments (colors) and
painting materials.
In the 15th century, many Buddhist artists migrated to Japan, to escape persecution for being
Neo-Confucianism. Many famous artists in Japan were the child of these Korean immigrates. For
example, Yi Su-mun, painted the famous "Catching a Catfish with a Gourd". The Korean painter
Yi Su-mun played an important role in the development of Japanese ink painting. The Soga (曽
我派), a group of Japanese painters active from the 15c through the 18c, also claimed to be
decedents of the Korean
immigrant painter Yi Sumun. Some stylistic
elements seen within the
paintings suggest Korean
influence. Muncheong (or
Bunsei in Japanese) was
another Korean immigrant
painter in the 15th century
Japan, known only by the
seal placed on his works
extant in both Japan and
Korea.
Korean Influence on Metal Work
Various metal-working techniques such as iron-working, the cuirass, the oven originated
in Korea. During the fifth century, large groups of craftspeople, who became the specialist gold
workers, saddlers, weavers, and others arrived in Yamato Japan from the Baekje kingdom of
Korea.
Iron processing and sword making techniques in ancient Japan can be traced back to
Korea. For example, there is an important iron sword in the Shrine of the Puyo Rock Deity in
Japan that s has a Korean shape and is inscribed with Chinese characters of gold.
Many swords discovered in Japan, utilized the Korean 'Idu' system of writing." The swords came
from Korea and are engraved with the names of Korean kings. The Japanese used techniques for
making swords were the same as in Korea.
Korean Influence on Ocean Travel
Shipbuilding
The ancient Japanese learned shipbuilding techniques under the direction of Korean engineers.
Many of the carpenters who made Japanese ships were from Silla, Korea.
In the 9th century, conditions of sea travel from Japan to Tang dynasty of China improved
because Japan had a good relationship with the Silla region of Korea and could use Korean ships.
Korean ships were better built and better handled than Japanese ships. Koreans were considered
the best sailors with the best ships of the day. These ships crossed the the Yellow Sea and
carried charcoal from Shandong to Shuzhou within China. The preferred constructed from
Korea.
Navigation
Ancient Koreans were good navigators and
would trade as far away as the East Indies. In
526, a Korean monk traveled to India. Often
students traveled to Tang China to gain the
knowledge of Chinese ethics and philosophy.
In the 9th century, Japanese had not mastered
the skill and knowledge necessary for safe
ocean navigation in their part of the world.
Consequently, travelers relied on the Korean
sailors and traders. Korean ships were faster
and more efficient then Japanese ships.
Korean Influence on Music
Ancient Korea influenced ancient music of Japan. Beginning in the 500s, musicians from
Korea visited Japan with their music and instruments. Vvarious types of Japanese court music
were influenced by Korean styles. One types was called Komagaku. It is made up wind- and
stringed instruments. Sometimes people would dance to it with masks.
Instruments
Some instruments in traditional Japanese music originated in Korea: Komabue is a six-hole
traverse flute of Korean origin.[91] It is used to perform Komagaku and Azuma asobi[92](chants
and dances, accompanied by an ensemble pieces). San-no-tsuzumi is an hourglass-shaped drum
of Korean origin.[86] The drum has two heads, which are struck using a single stick.
In the 5th century, the Kudaragoto (similar to a harp) was introduced to Japan along with Korean
music. The Kudaragoto has twenty three strings, and is played standing up. The 12-string long
zither Shiragigoto was introduced by Korea to Japan.