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Japan
Sarah Kelly & Taylor Odom
Jomon and Yayoi Cultures
c. 9000-200 BCE and 200 BCE 300 AD
• produced simple, undecorated food vessels made of red clay
• this is the very beginning of the Japanese culture
• used colored slip to create animals and abstract patterns
Eventually, the Yayoi took over the Jomon culture and introduced
clay sculptures called haniwa, which resided around burial
mounds.
They later began to produce bronze cast objects
(This technique was most likely imported
From China)
Cultural influences from Korea and China began to be noticed after
the introduction of Buddhism, yet the Japanese never actually copied
other cultures, only incorporated them into their existing art.
Asuka Period
552 AD- 645 AD
Asuka became the capital from 538 to 645 (hence the name for this art period)
During this period many Buddhist missionaries and artists were welcomed into
society.
Confucian ideals became widespread.
Shinto or “the way of the gods” (an ancient for or
nature worship) was still contributing to the Japanese
culture, which later began to incorporate the worship
of ancestors.
A noted architectural piece is Great Dibutsu which
stands over 70 feet high. It resides in the Horyu-ji
temple which contains the oldest wooden structures in
the world. (they also display another cultural
infiltration from the Chinese in regards to the
reproduction of the Tang dynasty’s style (in regards
to a calm and graceful atmosphere with exposed
beams)
Nara Period
645 AD – 794 AD
Guess what? The capital moved again…to Nara. A new era is
upon us!
Also, once again, the Chinese are still influencing Japan…The
court in Japan became very enthusiastic about art and began to
sponsor elaborate production and collection of art (especially
from China (again)
and Persia).
Buddhism was firmly integrated into
the Japanese culture during this period.
This was mostly an uneventful period,
noted mainly for its temples and
monasteries.
Heian Period
794 AD – 1185 AD
…so now the capital is Heian (modern day Kyoto). This is the golden age of
Japanese art!
Since the Japanese broke off ties with China, the Japanese were finally able to
create art of their own without any
outside cultural influences (hence the
golden age). Yamato-e painting evolved:
long, decorative scrolls with long narratives
expressing their sentiments and nationalistic
feelings.
Buddhism split into different factions
Two noted sects are the Shingon who stressed the adoration of images and figures
of gods with many heads…The other is the Amida who stressed peace and
spiritual serenity. They constructed wooden buildings with subtle proportions
and placed them in natural settings, most commonly near water. These
buildings symbolized the harmony that humanity must attain with nature.
Kamakura Period
1185 AD- 1392 AD
The Heian government fell to a militant invasion and the capital moved to Kamakura. They
cast a huge bronze sculpture of Buddha.
Now the fashion and tastes of the new capital were
different than those of Kyoto’s cultural heritage.
Kamakura art became more
realistic than past Heian art.
Zen Buddhism became popular, promoting spiritual
exercises and simple lifestyles.
Paintings began to stress
portraiture, battle scenes and
everyday life. A drastic contrast to ancient Japanese art occurred
when artists began depicting torments in hell, illness and suffering.
Cha-no-yu, a new tea ceremony was also inspired by Zen Buddhism.
It was first established in Seto, and inspired by the Chinese Song dynasty.
Muromachi and Momoyama Periods
1334 AD -1573 AD and 1573 AD- 1615 AD
Kyoto was re-established as the capital, thus calling in the Muromachi era. Art
began to be patronized by the warrior class. To contrast with the violent
atmosphere, tranquil gardens and peaceful arrangements of nature and
architectural elements. Noh (dramas), cha-no-yu (tea ceremony) and ikebana
(flower arranging) became popular peaceful activities. Personal artwork was
displayed in an alcove called tokonoma.
Paintings began to be influenced once again by the Chinese
with sumi-e (a Chinese ink style). This style was used mostly
by a family of painters called
Kano, and was later translated
into the Momoyama era, where
large castles and embellished
rooms became popular.
Edo Period
1615 AD – 1868 AD
This period is one of complete isolation from the outside world due to political
turmoil with other countries. European influences and religion were banned,
and the capital was moved…again…to Edo (modern day Tokyo). In the Meiji
Restoration, Japan was once again opened to the outside world.
The Edo period is characterized by its unique style of genre painting, known as
ukiyo-e (“the art of the floating
world”), popular among the middle
class. Ukiyo-e featured colorful images
and kabuki (Japanese theatre). Prints
were being mass produced. This
production marks the transition from
ancient art to the modern era.
Modern Period
1868 AD - present
The Jesuits came in and introduced the first NonJapanese painting techniques (such as oil).
A new Japanese pottery production occurred, where
they used Kutani and Imari porcelain, which consisted
of bright and bold colors.
Contemporary artists continue to
stick to the simplicity and elegance of the Japanese culture.
Imari
Kutani
Review
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Describe haniwa sculptures (slide 2)
What are some of the beliefs of the Shinto religion? (slide 3)
What are the oldest wooden structures in the world? (slide 3)
Where is the great Dibutsu (Buddha)? How tall is it? (slide 3)
What modern cities did the ancient cities of Heian and Edo become? (slides 5 & 8)
What is yamato-e painting? What type of surface do they use? (slide 5)
How was Kamakura art different from Heian art? The subjects that Kamakura art
depicted? (slide 6)
Vocab: Cha-no-yu (slide 6), noh, ikebana, tokonoma (slide 7)
Where were the cha-no-yu ceramics first produced? Which Chinese dynasty influenced
them? (slide 6)
What style of painting is used by the Kano in the rooms of the Nijo Castle in Kyoto?
(slide 7)