JAPAN
NON WESTERN ART
JAPAN
• Japanese culture is the product of long periods of
isolation followed by eras of contact with outside cultural
influences
• Japanese art was influenced by China and Korea from
the 7th-9th centuries
• China and Europe in the 16th century
• Final opening of Japan to the west following 1868
• Inherent characteristics: simplicity of design and form,
attentiveness to beauty and nature and subtlety
• Infusions of outside cultural ideas usually stimulated
development of the arts emphasizing ornamentation
and elaborate refinement
• In reaction, these phases were followed by periods of
basic simplicity and renewed attentiveness to natural
design
JAPAN
Pomegran
ates
Katsushika
Hokusai
1760-1849
Ink and
color on
paper
Japan
What do
you think
of the
saying “less
is more” in
respect to
Japanese
art such as
this?
JAPAN
Great Buddha
Hall
Todai-ji
Nara, Japan
Japanese tend
to seek blending
their architecture
with natural
environment
surrounding it
JAPAN
JAPAN
• Sometimes referred to as the “land of the rising sun”,
Japan consists of four main islands and 4000 smaller
islands
• 2/3 of the land is mountainous and thickly forested
• Majority of Japanese live very closely packed
together in coastal regions
• Japan’s isolation from Asian mainland contributed
to development of a distinct culture
JAPAN
JAPAN
• A typical Japanese hallmark in homes is painted
screens
• Japanese infuse arts into all aspects of daily life
• Household screens and slide doors are often
eloquently painted with scenes from nature
JAPAN
Hasegawa Tohaku
Pine Wood
1539-1610
(detail from a pair of silk-fold screens)
Tokyo National Museum
Gilt screening in the
interior of the Nijo
Palace- daimyo
palace (feudal
lord/ landowner)
Messenger room
Rectangular
pattern of
traditional
architecture
JAPAN TIMELINE
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C. 9000-200 BC Jomon Phase
200 BC-300 AD Yayoi Period
552 AD- 645 AD Asuka Period
645 AD- 794 AD Nara Period
794 AD- 1185 AD Heian Period
1185 AD– 1392 AD Kamakura Period
1334 AD-1573 AD Muromachi Period
1573 AD- 1615 AD Momoyama Period
1615-1868 AD Edo Period
1868 AD- 1912 AD Meiji Period
1912 AD- 1926 AD Taisho Period
1926 AD- 1989 AD Showa Period
1989 AD- present Heisei Period
JOMON CULTURE
• Little is known about Japan’s early history
• Origins may date back as far as 5000 BD during
Neolithic Jomon culture
• Produced simple undecorated food vessels made
of red clay
• By 2000 BD, colored slip was used to create animal
and human abstract patterns
JOMON CULTURE
Bottle, Late Jomon period (ca. 1500–
1000 B.C.)
Japan
Earthenware with incised designs
Typical of wares found in Japan for this
time period
Simplistic design, red clay pottery
Two sets of apertures, thread cord and
suspend
7 ½ inches, 19 cm
JOMON CULTURE
Spearhead, Late Jomon period (ca.
1500–1000 B.C.)
Japan
Stone; L. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
Carefully formed shape
Beveled edge
JOMON CULTURE
Storage jar, Middle Jomon
period (ca. 2500–1500 B.C.)
Japan
Earthenware, unglazed; H. 27 1/2
in. (69.9 cm)
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Cord-marked pottery - characteristic
ware of the earliest inhabitants of
Japan
People were fishers and hunters on
islands
handmade utilitarian wares were
treated with inventive, often
extravagant artistry
regional separations between groups
resulted in wide range of styles.
The cord-marked pattern was made by
cords being twisted together over and
over on the piece- herringbone pattern
YAYOI PERIOD
• Fourth century- Jomon culture superceded by Yayoi
• More advanced
• More agrarian people- influenced from mainland
Asia
• Flourishes until 3rd century
• Yayoi people mainly farmers
• Art as utility
• Thatched huts clustered into villages
• Social classes begin to emerge, increasing wealth
• Mainland introduces production of iron and bronze
making sculpture possible
YAYOI PERIOD
Bust of a female figurine, Final Jomon
period/ Yayoi Period (ca. 1000–
300 B.C.)
Japan
Earthenware with incised and cord–
marked designs
Dogu- stylized, hollow figurine
True meaning of eyes unknown- Inuit of
NA
Crown atop figure’s head
Her body deco’d deeply incised lines
and cordmarkings possibly suggesting
tattoos
Other dogus possibly used as fertility
symbols
YAYOI PERIOD
Needles, hooks,
and harpoon, Final
Jomon period (ca.
1000–300 B.C.)
Japan
Bone
Notice
craftsmanship
Compare to
arrowhead
YAYOI PERIOD
Small figurine, Final Jomon
period (ca. 1000–300 B.C.)
Japan
Earthenware; H. 2 1/2 in.
(5.7 cm)
Small figurines (dogu) super
popular
Highly stylized
Body as fertility symbols
Found broken often, and
intentionally? Why?
Cures- scattered in trash
rather than graves
YAYOI PERIOD
Storage jar, Yayoi period (ca. 4th
century B.C.–3rd century A.D.)
Japan
Earthenware; H. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Irregularities and ornamentation
replaced with sturdy, functional
pieces
Symmetry paramount
ASUKA PERIOD
• Asuka became Japanese capital from 538-645
• Gave name to time when Buddhist missionaries,
scriptures and beliefs were welcomed
• Confucian ideals of government put into place
• Older Japanese religion- Shinto- continued to
influence Japanese thought
• Shinto- “the way of the gods”
• Oldest and still largest religion in Japan
• Began as a form of nature worship, gods dwell
throughout the world of nature
• Later included worship of ancestors
ASUKA PERIOD
• Lots of ideas from China
• More sophisticated culture adopted due to
influence of literature, philosophy, art, architecture,
science, medicine and government
• Revolutionized Japan, giving them writing system as
well
ASUKA PERIOD
Large jar, late Kofun or
Asuka period (ca. 3rd
century–710), 6th–7th
century
Japan
Stoneware with natural
ash glaze and comb and
cord markings
-notice similar markings to
earlier art
ASUKA PERIOD
Kanzeon Bosatsu,
wood sculpture
with gold leaf
7th century
Asuka period
ASUKA PERIOD
• Tang Chinese architecture was emulated in building
the first Buddhist structures- the Horyu-ji temple at
Asuka
• Main hall and adjacent pagoda still exist as the
oldest wooden structures in the world
• Buildings are regarded as faithful reproduction of
Chinese architecture from the Tang Dynasty
• Style reflects calm and graceful atmosphere as well
as structural honesty in exposure of the beams and
brackets
ASUKA PERIOD
Horyu-ji Temple
Complex
Begun 607
Asuka, Japan
ASUKA PERIOD
Exposure of
beams and
brackets
NARA PERIOD
• Capital moved to nearby Nara, new era began
• Furniture, paintings, pottery and architecture were
all based on Chinese ideals
• Court sponsored elaborate production and
collection of art, incl works from China and Persia
• Buddhism firmly entrenched
• Huge temples and monasteries constructed in
wood of Chinese style
• Buddhist images were made of lacquer and bronze
NARA PERIOD
Great Dibutsu (Buddha)
Bronze
Todai-ji temple
Nara Japan
Largest Buddha sculpture in Japan, 70 ft
high, 700 ton Buddha housed in largest
wooden temple in the world
NARA PERIOD
Miniature
pagoda, early
Nara period
(710–794; ca.
767)
Japan
Wood; H. 8 1/4
in
NARA PERIOD
Long–necked bottle,
Nara period (710–794),
8th century
Japan
Stoneware with natural
ash glaze and incised
decoration
Glazes- Chinese
influence
NARA PERIOD
• Inspired by Chinese precedent, Japan’s first histories
were written- Kojiki and Nihon shoki
• Chinese precedent seen in decision to adopt
Buddhism as official religion
• Large temples constructed, many hours and money
put into it
• However, not even a full century after it was built,
capital was moved again
• Burdensome pressure of Buddhist temples, grew too
wealthy and powerful
• Excessive influence of Buddhist establishment,
heavy taxes on rice, products and labor and
increase in challenges to government led to unrest
NARA PERIOD
Todai-ji
Temple
Nara, Japan
HEIAN PERIOD
Heian, today Kyoto, became capital in 784
Golden age of Japanese art
Heian- literally meaning period of calm and tranquility
Close ties with China broken, Japanese artists created
own styles of art that differed from Chinese
• Yamato-e painting evolved during this perioddecorative scrolls with long narratives expressing
Japanese taste, sentiments and nationalistic feelings
(literally meaning Japanese painting, differing from karae painting meaning Tang painting)
• Yamato-e painting- native subject matter from
Japanese literature
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HEIAN PERIOD
• Most paintings from this period were done on
folding screens or sliding door panels, so not much is
left of them
• Recollections of them due to Japanese waka
poetry- 31 syllable poems created in conjunction
with yamato-e paintings, or inspired by them
• In ancient legends, reference is made to a portrait
of the Buddha Gautama that was made of
sandalwood and left unpainted
• Wooden sculptures of Buddha were often carved
from a fragrant piece of wood, sandalwood or
cypress and left unpainted.
• Why? Advantages? For whom?
HEIAN PERIOD
Fudō Myōō (Achala–
vidyārāja), Heian period
(794–1185, 12th century
Japan
Fierce protector- how can
you tell?
HEIAN PERIOD
The Tale of Gengi,
detail
Late Heian Period
12th century
Scroll, color on paper
HEIAN PERIOD
Lotus Sutra, Heian
period (794–
1185), 12th
century
Japan
Gold on indigo–
dyed paper; 11
3/4 x 339 3/4 in.
(29.8 x 863 cm)
KAMAKURA PERIOD
• Military government replaced the Heian govt
• Capital moved to Kamakura
• Many early Nara temples were restored after civil
wars
• Huge bronze Buddha was cast
• Fashion and taste were at odds with cultural
heritage of Kyoto
• Kamakura art more realistic
KAMAKURA PERIOD
Great Buddha of
Kamakura
Kamakura period
Japan
Cast bronze
tour
KAMAKURA PERIOD
• During this period, Zen Buddhism from China gained
popularity
• Promoted spiritual exercises, meditation and simple
lifestyle
• Paintings stressed portraiture, battle scenes and
incidents taken from real life (called….. ?)
• Also could depict torments in hell, illness and
suffering. The irony, huh
• Potters who studied Song ceramic methods
established kilns leading to native Japanese
ceramic tradition
• Objects produced there became important for
cha-no-yu- Zen inspired tea ceremony
KAMAKURA PERIOD
Illustrated Legends of the Kitano Shrine (Kitano Tenjin Engi), Kamakura period
(1185–1333), 13th century
Unidentified artist
Japan
Handscroll; ink and color on paper
KAMAKURA PERIOD
Armor (yoroi), Late
Kamakura period
(1185–1333), early 14th
century
Japanese
Lacquered iron and
leather, silk, stenciled
leather, copper-gilt
KAMAKURA PERIOD
A Long Tale for an
Autumn Night (Aki
no yonaga
monogatari),
Nanbokucho period
(1336–92), late 14th
century
Japan
Scroll one from a set
of three handscrolls;
ink, color, and gold
on paper;
KAMAKURA PERIOD
Illustrated sutra of The
Miracles of Kannon,
Kamakura period
(1185–1333), dated
1257
Unidentified artist
Japan
Handscroll; ink, color,
and gold on paper; 9
7/16 in. x 30 ft. 8 1/16 in
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
• Kyoto reestablished as capital in 1338, initiating
Muromachi era
• Warrior class patronized the arts
• Ostentatious court life
• Contrasting their incessant warfare, tranquil landscapes
gardens provided respite and a place to chill
• Natural architecture and peaceful arrangements
• Spiritual peace also available in Noh- dramas, cha-no-yu
– tea ceremonies, and ikebana- flower arranging
• Tokonoma- special alcove for art
• First steps in establishment of modern commercial,
transportation and urban developments
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
Possible cha-no-yu
spot
Notice the
tokonama?
The tea set?
The flower
arrangement?
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
• Muromachi painting dominated by Chinese ink
style, sumi-e
• Usually done on absorbant rice paper (washi) in
quick confident strokes, style was also used on
sliding door panels and screens by a family of
painters named Kano
• Their style of painting influenced the Momoyama
era
• Used during that era to embellish rooms in large
castles built by feudal war lords- daimyo
• Paintings of tress and nature scenes
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
Portrait sculpture of a Zen priest,
Muromachi period (1392–1573), 14th–
15th century
Japan
Lacquered wood
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
Helmet (Suji Kabuto),
Muromachi period,
15th century
Japan
Lacquered iron, silk,
stenciled leather, gilt
copper
Inscribed on the
helmet
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons, Momoyama
period (1573–1615), early 17th century
Kano School
Japan
Pair of six–fold screens; color on gold–leafed paper
MUROMACHI AND MOMOYAMA
PERIODS
Su Dongpo in Straw Hat and Wooden
Shoes, Muromachi period (1392–1573),
second half of 15th century
Artist Unknown
Japan
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
EDO PERIOD
• Internal political turmoil caused Japanese rulers to
attempt to impose order by closing Japan off from
outside world
• European and Christian influences were banned in 1612
• Capital moved to Edo
• Meiji Restoration- restored practical imperial rule-Japan
opened again to influences
• Unique style of genre painting- ukiyo-e
• Ukiyo-e- unique creation of Edo period- art of the
floating world
• Very popular with growing middle class
• Featured colorful images of daily life, later adapted to
woodcuts and marketed at super low prices
EDO PERIOD
Night Rain at
Karasaki, from
the series Eight
Views of Ō-mi
Artist: Utagawa
Hiroshige
Period: Edo
period (1615–
1868)
Date: ca. 1835
Culture: Japan
Medium: Polychr
ome woodblock
print; ink and
color on paper
EDO PERIOD
• Ukiyo-e paintings provided glimpses of Japanese life
• Bold design
• Impressionist painters were especially influenced by
this style- Monet, Renoir, Degas
• Daimyo and their samurai retainers and other
wealthy citizens were very supportive of the arts
during this time
• Entusiastically patronized various pleasure quarters
established in all large cities
• Pursuit of pleasure bc they had money, but no
social status
• Hedonistic world- courtesans, entertainers,
teahouses, theaters, restaurants…..etc
EDO PERIOD
The Great Wave at
Kanagawa (from a
Series of Thirty-Six
Views of Mount
Fuji), Edo period
(1615–1868), ca.
1831–33
Katsushika Hokusai
(Japanese, 1760–
1849
Polychrome ink
and color on
paper
EDO PERIOD
MODERN PERIOD
• Non- Japanese painting techniques, notably oil
painting, were introduced by Catholic missionary
priests
• Later encouraged under Meiji Era
• Ming and Qing ceramics influenced Japanese
pottery production
• Imari and Kutani porcelain wares are brightly
surfaced and boldly colored
MODERN PERIOD
Imari and Kutani
porcelain
QUESTIONS
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What are some of the beliefs of the Shinto religion?
What are the oldest wood structures in the world?
How old are they?
Where is the great Dibutsu? Which is taller, Seay’s art
classroom of the statue?
What modern cities did the ancient cities of Heian and Edo
become?
What is yamato-e painting? On what type of surface were
these painted?
How as Kamakura art different from Heian art?
What were some of the subjects of Kamakura art?
What is the Japanese term for the zen-inspired tea ceremony>
which Chinese dynasty art influenced the production of these
pieces?
What do noh, ikebana and tokonoma mean?
What does sumi-e mean?
What does washi mean?
What does ukiyo-e mean?