JAPAN BEFORE 1333 Gardner chapter 8 pp. 215-221

HEIAN PERIOD/ESOTERIC BUDDHISM In 784 the Imperial house moves from Nara -> eventually establishes new capital at Kyoto The Heian Period lasted from 794- 1185 -> in the early period there close ties with China -> later the ties are cut and Japanese culture became more self directed Major development in the Heian Period is the introduction of Esoteric Buddhism from China Believed that individuals possess the Buddha nature and can achieve enlightenment through meditation and careful living Emphasis on ritual and meditation

In the Heian period the Pure Land Buddhism sect which preaches universal salvation spreads to all classes of Japanese society The most important monument to Pure Land beliefs in Japan is the Phoenix Hall temple Elaborate winged form evokes the Buddha’s palace in the Western Pure Land Situated on a reflective pond it suggests the floating weightlessness of celestial architecture PHOENIX HALL, UJI

TALE OF GENJI Japan’s most admired literary classic -> written around 1000 -> author is Lady Murasaki It tells of the lives and loves of Prince Genji and his descendants This is the best known work of literature in Japan

KAMAKURA PERIOD In the late 12th century a series of civil wars between rival warrior families led to the end of the Japanese imperial court as a major force Actual power moves from Imperial court in Kyoto to the “shoguns” Kamakura shogunate(1185-1332)-> military government

(8-203/1) NIGHT ATTACK ON THE SANJO PALACE Kamakura Period, Japan c (8-203/1) NIGHT ATTACK ON THE SANJO PALACE Kamakura Period, Japan c. 1250-1300 C.E. Handscroll (ink and color on paper) FLASHCARD Painted 100 years after event depicted Elevated viewpoint Swift active brushstrokes Unrolls like a film sequence Burning of the imperial palace at Sanjo in Kyoto -> rebels seize power and the emperor is captured

Lone archer leads the escape from the burning palace with equestrian Japanese commander behind him (8-203/2) NIGHT ATTACK ON THE SANJO PALACE - DETAIL Kamakura Period, Japan c. 1250-1300 C.E. Handscroll (ink and color on paper) FLASHCARD

(8-207/1) RYOAN-JI, WET GARDEN Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period c. 1480 C (8-207/1) RYOAN-JI, WET GARDEN Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period c. 1480 C.E. Current design most likely dates to the 18th century FLASHCARD Garden as a microcosm of nature Contains a tea house Seemingly arbitrary in placement -> plants are actually placed in a highly organized and structured environment symbolizing the natural world Water symbolizes purification; used in rituals

(8-207/2) RYOAN-JI, DRY GARDEN Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period c. 1480 C (8-207/2) RYOAN-JI, DRY GARDEN Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period c. 1480 C.E. Current design most likely dates to the 18th century FLASHCARD gravel acts as water -> raked in wavy patterns Rocks are mtn. ranges Fifteen rocks arranged in three groups -> interpreted as islands in a floating sea; mtn. peaks above clouds; constellations in the sky Served as a focus for meditation Bounded on two sides by a yellow wall

(8-207/3) RYOAN-JI, PLAN Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period c. 1480 C. E (8-207/3) RYOAN-JI, PLAN Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period c. 1480 C.E. Current design most likely dates to the 18th century Ryoan-ji is a temple complex located in north Kyoto and associated with Zen Buddhism It is regarded as an expression of Zen art and a symbol of Zeb Buddhism and Japanese culture Zen is about “enlightenment” through self-introspection FLASHCARD

WHITE AND RED PLUM BLOSSOMS

(8-210/1) WHITE AND RED PLUM BLOSSOMS Ogata Korin c. 1710-1716 C. E (8-210/1) WHITE AND RED PLUM BLOSSOMS Ogata Korin c. 1710-1716 C.E. Ink, watercolor, and gold leaf on paper FLASHCARD Simple landscape theme -> two flowering trees on either side of a brook White plum blossoms on left and red on right Black ink with gold leaf background on a pair of folding screens Image seems both abstract and realistic at the same time Japanese Rinpa style meaning “School of Korin” -> influenced western painters like Klimt

FLASHCARD (8-210/2) WHITE AND RED PLUM BLOSSOMS Ogata Korin c. 1710-1716 C.E. Ink, watercolor, and gold leaf on paper Right side of folding screen Stream cuts rhythmically through the scene -> swirls in paint surface indicate water currents

(8-211) UNDER THE WAVE OFF KANAGAWA, also known as the Great Wave From the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji Katsushika Hokusai 1830-1833 C.E. Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper FLASHCARD Perhaps the most iconic work of Japanese art Thousands of copies of the print were produced and sold cheaply The wave frames Mount Fuji -> considered sacred -> fisherman in boats about to be swamped Example of Ukiyo-e (wood block printing) -> marked a shift from genre images to landscape