1. Chapters 11 and 25: Japanese Art AP Art History Magister Ricard
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3. Key Concepts Deep reaching artistic tradition Heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism Tea ceremony unique to Japanese culture Ukiyo-e woodblock prints heavily influenced western art (Impressionism)
4. Historical Background As an island nation, one of the few countries successfully invaded from outside Japan has been able to preserve its cultural traditions Commodore Perry helps formulate a trade agreement with Japan in 1854 Ukiyo-e prints are sold to European markets Not valued by upper classes in Japan
6. Patronage Japanese artists worked on commission Some for royal court, some for religious patrons Masters ran workshops with assistants Usually family run business, inherited Master created the key components, assistants tended to the details Painting esteemed art form Both genders learned to paint
8. Zen Buddhism Zen is a school of Buddhist thought Rejects worldliness, material possessions and vanity Focuses on self-control, courage, and loyalty Meditation is key for enlightenment Intuition and introspection not books Samurai exemplify Zen teachings
9. Shinto “The Way of the Gods” The Kojiki contains the myth of creation of the Japanese islands Paradise created by the Gods Animism – everything contains kami Impurity arises from lack of awareness (of kami)
10. Buddhism and Shinto Syncretic in nature Shinto usually for “life” rituals Buddhism for “death” rituals Birth rites use Shinto ritual Funeral arrangements typically refer to Buddhist tradition
11. Japanese Tea Ceremony Minimalist details disguise careful social ritual Ceremony built around 4 main principles Purity Harmony Respect Tranquility Designed around a small space for about 5 people, featuring simple yet elegant décor Ritual example
15. Characteristics of Japanese Architecture Influence of Zen philosophy calls for simple elegance Usually single story, made of wood, and should harmonize with nature Wood is appreciated naturally Floors are raised above ground to reduce humidity Eaves are long to create shadows for summer Steep roofs to allow quick rain and snow runoff
16. Characteristics of Japanese Architecture Interior spaces are highly mobile, using sliding screens to divide rooms Zen gardens feature sand raked meticulously around stones and plants For spiritual nourishment
23. Characteristics of Sculpture Ranges from abstract (haniwa figures) to verism(samurais, priests) Masks are highly prized, those used in religious rituals called Noh plays Noh masks are small wooden masks that reveal emotion of character to crowd
33. Characteristics of Painting/Printmaking Genre painting dominated by ukiyo-e “pictures of the floating world” “floating” = Buddhist transient nature of life Popular scenes of everyday pleasures Flourished between 1650s to 1850s Disdained by upper classes
34. Characteristics of Painting/Printmaking Printmaking required a publisher and an artist Publisher determined what was to be created Artist created it via woodblock carving Initially black and white, color came into printmaking in 18th century Colors applied one at a time, very popular but time consuming
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40. Summary With great stability comes a long artistic and cultural tradition Japanese architecture harmonizes with nature and uses its materials naturally, organically Shaped by Shinto and Zen Buddhism Scrolls were used, like in China, but Japan develops ukiyo-e prints
Editor's Notes
Compare printmaking to Andy Warhol’s Factory products.Interested western artists through use of large, flat areas of color; unchanging tones; lack of shadow; odd angles of composition; cropped images. (Think Impressionism, Roy Lichtenstein)
