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SHRINES, STATUES, AND SCROLLS
THE ART OF EARLY JAPAN
TEXT PAGES 216-231
Define or identify the following:
Kami.
mortise and tenon
ridge pole.
Shinto “.
Amida
Buddha triad.
Mandorla.
Handscroll.
Tale of Genji
Torii Busshi
Yamato-e
1. What was the main art form of the Jomon culture?
2. How do Jomon vessels differ from Neolithic Chinese examples?
3. Name the two cultures that had the strongest influence on the development of Japanese art.
a.
b
4. What was the purpose of the great tumuli that were built during the Kufan period?
).
How did haniwa relate to these structures?
5. Name the largest and most important Shinto shrine in Japan.
What Japanese custom assures us that the present building looks pretty much like the first
and original one?
.
6. What culture provided the mold for the Horyu-ji and Todai-ji temples complexes?
7. Describe the type of image that was introduced during the Heian period that reflected the
influence of Esoteric Buddhism.
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8. What type of birds are perched on the ends of the ridge poles of the Phoenix Hall shown in
FIG. 8-12 and what is their meaning?
9. List three characteristics of the Yamato-e style seen in the Genji scrolls (FIG. 8-13).
a.
b.
c.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Compare the architectural style and building techniques of the Kondo (Golden
Hall) of Horyuji (FIG. 8-6) and the Phoenix Hall of the Byodoin (FIG 8-12) with
those of the Ise Shrine (FIG. 8-5). In what way do the Kondo and the Phoenix Hall
reflect Chinese prototypes?
2. Discuss briefly the interaction of native traditions and Chinese influence in the art
of Japan from the fifth through the fifteenth centuries. What characteristics can be
identified as native Japanese? What features can be considered as imported from
China?
3. Discuss the evolution and spread of the figure of the Buddha by comparing the
Indian Budda from Gandhara (FIGS. 6-9 and 6-12), the Chinese Sakyamuni
Buddha (FIG. 7-9), and the Buddha from Longmen (FIG. 7-12). What differences
if any, do you see that may be based upon nationality? What are based upon
Buddhist sect?
4. Discuss the evolution and spread of the figure of the Buddha by comparing the
Korean Buddha from Sokkuram (FIG. 7-27), the Japanese Shaka and Yakushi
Triads (FIGS. 8-7 and 8-8), and the Amida Triad (FIG. 18-9). What differences if
any, do you see that may be based upon nationality? What are based upon
Buddhist sect? Were the Japanese figures made for Hinyana or Mahayana
Buddists? How do you know?
5. Select and compare a Chinese painting from the Song or Southern Song periods
with a Japanese painting during the Kamakura period. What emotional mood is
created in each and what stylisic devices does each artist use to create them?
LOOKING CAREFULLY, DESCRIBING AND ANALYZING
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Compare the detail from the Japanese handscroll The Legends of Mont Shigi (FIG. 814) with the contemporary Chinese hanging scroll of Arhats Giving Alms to Beggars
(FIG. 7-24.) How does the format of each affect the composition? Use the following
terms in your analysis: mass and line, definition of 2 and 3 dimensional space, use of
perspective, hue, tonality, and saturation of color, movement and balance.
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