The Best of the Bureau/The_Best_of_the_Bureau_Bureau_Development_Inc._1992.iso/dp/0037/00370.txt

Text File | 1992-08-07 | 21KB | 382 lines

$Unique_ID{bob00370}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Japan
Visual Arts}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{International Society for Educational Information, Inc.}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Japan, Washington DC}
$Subject{japanese
period
style
architecture
japan
art
tea
century
influence
flower}
$Date{1989}
$Log{}
Title:       Japan
Book:        The Japan of Today
Author:      International Society for Educational Information, Inc.
Affiliation: Embassy of Japan, Washington DC
Date:        1989

Visual Arts

Fine arts

     The oldest surviving objects of Japanese art are earthen images dating
from the Stone Age and crude stone figures of a somewhat later period. A yet
later development was mortuary clay images called haniwa, which have been
excavated from ancient mausoleums. These show some technical advance and are
highly prized today as examples of primitive art.

Influence of Buddhism

     The introduction of Buddhism in A.D. 538 led to a cultural period of
sudden artistic flowering that reached its height in the Asuka cultural period
(538-645), when the arts were encouraged under imperial patronage. Many
Buddhist temples were built, including the celebrated Horyuji Temple near
Nara, which is believed to be the oldest wooden building in the world. The
Buddhist influence is particularly evident in figurative sculpture, which
flourished in this period. The emphasis was on solemnity and sublimity, and
features were idealized.

     The Hakuho, or so-called early Nara (645-710) cultural period, which
followed the Asuka period, was a time of strong Chinese and Indian influence.
The flatness of form and stiffness of expression in the sculpture of the Asuka
period were replaced by grace and vigor. The Tempyo, or so-called late Nara
(710-94) cultural period, was the golden age of Buddhism and Buddhist
sculpture in Japan. Some of the great works of this period may be seen in and
around Nara today. They reflect a great realism, combined with a rare
serenity.

     An idealized style of expression returned in the following Konin-Jogan
era (794-899), when the mystical teachings of the esoteric Shingon Buddhist
sect influenced the sculpture of the time. The statues of this era are
massive in form and mystic in expression. The Konin-Jogan era marked the first
century of the Heian period, which continued until 1192. The Fujiwara family
held sway, and the characteristics of the sculpture of this period are
elegance and beauty, sometimes at the expense of strength.

     Contact with China had been broken and the influences previously
introduced from abroad were now assimilated to evolve a new type of Japanese
art. Delicacy and exquisiteness of form mark the new artistic taste that
evolved at that time. These characteristics are also seen in the unique
architecture of the period.

     Painting assumed an important position during this period, almost for
the first time. It was in this era that the type of painting known as
yamatoe (Japanese-style painting) and the art of emakimono (illustrated
scrolls) developed.

Influence of Zen

     The austerity of the warrior-class regime and of Zen Buddhism was
reflected in the subsequent Kamakura period (1192-1338), when sculpture became
extremely realistic in style and vigorous in expression. The Zen influence was
reflected in the purity and simplicity of the architecture of the period.
Traces of the influence of the tradition established in the Kamakura period
can be found in Japanese architecture even today. Illustrated scrolls and
portrait painting were also in vogue during this period.

     Sumie, the delicate style of brush painting with black ink, was
developed in the Muromachi period (1338-1573). It originated with the
Buddhists of the Zen sect who were familiar with the art of the Chinese Sung
dynasty.

     The Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603), which followed, was a time of
transition. It was also a period of great artistic sophistication. Artists
expressed themselves in bright colors and elaborate designs. Gorgeous folding
screens were introduced. Castles and temples were decorated with elaborate
wood carvings. Masks of great artistic refinement began to be worn in the noh
dramas.

     The most famous single artistic form in the Edo period (1603-1868) was
perhaps the ukiyoe genre print, which won immense popularity among the general
public. The influence of ukiyoe on European art in the latter half of the
nineteenth century is well known. Sculpture declined during the Edo period,
but considerable advances were made in handicrafts.

Western influence

     The second half of the nineteenth century was a period when Western
influences made themselves felt in Japanese art. Today Western forms and
traditional Japanese styles exist side by side and sometimes mingle with each
other in a new process of mutual assimilation and reinvigoration. The Japanese
show a deep interest in artistic developments, both as spectators and as
practitioners. Painting and drawing are unusually popular spare-time pursuits.
A large number of art exhibitions are held at all times of the year in the
main cities and draw large crowds. Japan's oldest and most impressive annual
art show is the comprehensive Nitten Art Exhibition; to be selected for
display there is one of the nation's highest art honors.

     Since the war there has been brisk international artistic exchange. Many
Japanese paintings and other works of art have been shown abroad and numerous
exhibitions of foreign works are held in Japan. Besides the Japan
International Art Exhibition, which is also called the "Tokyo Biennale," the
International Biennial Exhibition of Prints, held in Tokyo and Kyoto, is well
known throughout the world.

Architecture

     Wood has long served as the basis of Japanese architecture. Though a
relatively small country, Japan is blessed with abundant forest resources,
and wood is most suitable for Japan's hot and humid climate. Stone is
unsuitable for construction in Japan for reasons of both supply and economy
and has been used for little more than castle escarpments.

     A notable feature of Japanese architecture is the coexistence of
everything from traditional styles that have been handed down from generation
to generation to modern structures employing the most advanced engineering
techniques.

Traditional architectural styles

     Shrine architecture: One of the oldest architectural forms extant in
Japan today is shrine architecture. The Ise Jingu Shrine at Ise in Mie
Prefecture, the origins of which are unknown, is an especially important
architectural monument that is reconstructed every 20 years using the
original building techniques, the next rebuilding being scheduled for 1993.
The simple construction of unpainted Japanese cypress reflects the appearance
and spirit of ancient Japanese architecture, which is designed to blend
harmoniously with the surrounding environment.

     The influence of Buddhism: Buddhism, which reached Japan from China in
the sixth century, exerted a major influence on Japanese architecture.
Buddhist temple architecture, with its grand construction materials and
architectural scale, conveyed a magnificent image of the continent. The hall
housing the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) statue at Todaiji Temple in Nara,
completed in the eighth century, is the world's largest wooden structure.

     Both Nara and Kyoto, Japan's ancient capitals built in the eighth
century, were designed according to the Chinese method of urban planning,
which arranged streets in a checkerboard pattern. Modern Kyoto retains the
form it had at that time.

     The development of indigenous Japanese styles: In the Heian period
(794-1192), Buddhism underwent a gradual Japanization. Shinden-zukuri, the
architectural style employed in the mansions and homes of the nobility, is
representative of the residential architecture of this period. A roof
thatched with Japanese cypress tree bark rested on wooden pillars and beams;
the interior had wooden floors without fixed room dividers; and the use of
sing