japanese art
TRANSCRIPT
Japanese Art
Students will be able to…
• Explain the forms of Buddhism practiced in Japan and their effect on the country’s culture
• Examine Japan’s literary and dramatic developments
• Describe themes associated with Japanese art forms
Zen Buddhism
• Prince Shotoku encouraged the spread of Buddhism in Japan
• Buddhism was practiced alongside Shinto• The Buddhist belief that peace and happiness
could be gained by leading a life of virtue and wisdom appealed to many.
Japanese Forms of Buddhism
• Different forms of Buddhism developed in Japan– Tendai Buddhism focused on the intensive study
of texts– Shigon had complex rituals– Amida, Pure land, believed that people might have
salvation in a pure land after their death– Zen believed that something precious and divine
exists in each person
Zen Buddhism• Beginning in the 1100’s Zen
Buddhism became common• Zen Buddhism emphasizes on
self-discipline, simplicity, and meditation
• “Zen” = meditation• Followers believe that quiet
reflection was more useful than performing ceremonies or studying scriptures
• Focus on individuals attempt to achieve inner peace
Zen Buddhism• Samurai favored Zen
Buddhism because they thought it would give them inner peace and strength in battle
• Samurai reflected the strength they felt they achieved in meditation by drawing in black ink and using thick, strong, black lines
Literature and Drama
• A great period of literature began beginning in the 800’s
• Around 400 The Japanese begun using Chinese characters to write Japanese words– The Japanese use characters to stand for specific
objects, actions, ideas, or sounds
Japanese Drama• Drama began to gain
popularity in the 600’s • In the 1300’s Noh theater
began– Retelling of legends and
folktales– Actors wore painted wooden
masks to show emotions– Gestures, costumes, and music
were used to help tell the story– Most actors were men and the
plays were often performed for both upper and lower classes
Japanese Drama
• In the early 1600’s Kabuki developed
• Combined melodramatic singing and dancing with elaborate costumes
• Actors wore heavy make up
• More informal than Noh• Themes dealt with
common people• Only performed by men
Tale of the Genji• In the early 800’s Japan ended
diplomatic relations with China• Literature reflected emerging
Japanese culture independent from China
• One of Japan’s finest writers was Lady Murasaki Shikibu. She lived at the emperors court in the early 1000’s
• She wrote a book called The Tale of the Genji about life in the imperial court – important because it focused on realistic events focused on one individual. The world’s first important novel
Japanese Poetry: Haiku
• Short form of poetry 5, 7, 5
• Usually about love, romance, or nature
• Matsuo Basho a famous poet from the 1600’s– He wrote poems that
had a quiet reflective spirit of Zen
An old silent pondInto the pond a frog jumpsSplash! Silence again
Distinctive Japanese Arts
Calligraphy and Painting• Japanese consider writing as
a way to express beauty • Each character is painted in a
set order of brush strokes• Brush painting with ink on
paper scrolls and silk began in the 600’s– Depict landscapes, historical
events, and daily life– Sometimes a short description
was on the painting itself
Distinctive Japanese Art
Flower Arranging and Gardening
• Ikebana- The art of flower arranging was brought to Japan by Buddhists– Emphasis on simplicity
• Bonsai – art of growing miniature trees and shrubs in small pots or trays
• Zen gardens are designed to help people think quietly– Arranged with rocks and
pathways and few flowers or trees