1. The Art of
Asia Part III

2. Japan
Deep Vessel with Handles
Period: Middle Jomon period
(ca. 3500–2500 B.C.)
The Japanese archipelago has 4 main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. There are also hundreds of smaller islands.
Great variation in dialect, cuisine and local customs
Japan not far from mainland so influenced by China in terms of writing and Buddhism
Earliest culture was the Joman (c. 10,500 – 300 BCE)
Joman = cord (jo) and markings (mon)
Jomon people were hunter-gatherers who were settle, not nomadic
-Developed ceramics before agriculture. (Called Joman because of the way they decorated their ceramics. )
-Lived in pit dwellings that was round, raised earth with thatched roofs

3. Asuka (552 – 645) and Nara Periods (645 – 784)
Embraced elements from the continent such as Chinse writing, Confucianism and Buddhism
Adopted rites of Chinese court
Still used Shintoism (Shinto deities gained new local identities as Buddhist deities)

4. 197. Todai-ji. Nara, Japan. Various artists, including sculptors Unkei and Keikei, as well as the Kei School CE: rebuilt c Bronze and Wood (sculpture); wood with ceramic-tile roofing architecture.

5. Todai-ji. Nara, Japan
When built, it was the largest building project in Japan
Buddhism came to Japan via Silk Road from Central Asia, to China and Korea
Buddhism became associated with imperial court and members became patrons for Buddhist art and architecture
In Nara era, Emperor Shomu and Empress built temples, monasteries, and convents
Established national system of monasteries based under imperial Todai-ji (Great Eastern Temple)

6. Todai-ji. Nara, Japan
Emperor Shomu wanted to centralized and unite Japanese clans under a spiritual unity
The building displayed power, prestige, and piety of the Imperial House
Special taxes were taken to pay for Todai-ji
Symbolic heart was the hondo (main hall)
84 massive pillars with huge bronze Buddha (took all copper available in Japan, destroyed in Genpei Civil War of
2 nine-story pagodas

7. Heian Period (794 – 1185) Moved capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto)
Relations with China deteriorated
Esoteric Buddhism Grew –
Stressed Enlightenment through contemplation and mediation
Womb World is Buddhist diagram of the cosmic universe composed of 12 zones each representing one dimension of Buddha.
Taizokai (Womb World) mandara, Heian period, Japanese. Hanging scroll, color on silk.

8. Kamakura Period ( )
Civil wars ended with Minamoto family established Shogunate military government.
Contact with China grew.
Shunjobo Chogen, Todaiji, Nara, Japan, Kamakura period,
early 13th century. Painted cypress wood, 2 ‘ 8 3/8” high.

9. 203. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace. Kamakura Period, Japan. c
203. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace. Kamakura Period, Japan. c – 1300 CE. Handscroll (ink and color on paper) x x 7.6 cm .
Notorious incident depicted on handscroll called an emaki
Action painting called a “men’s painting” of the Kamakura period
Completed in bird’s eye view with written introduction and conclusion
Took place during war of 1159 – 1960 illustrates war tales = “gunki monogataki”
Images are sequential with characters appearing again
Detailed images show rank of characters, details of the mansion, and also expresses horror of attack
Fujiwara no Nobuyoris’ bid to seize power from former Emperor Go- Shirakawa is illustrated.

10. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace

11. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace

12. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace

13. Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace

14. Muromachi Period (1336 – 1573 CE)
Imperial family with shogun reigned
Powerful warrior band of Samurai (warriors)
Society becomes more egalitarian; commoners mingled with aristocrats and warriors.

15. 207. Ryoan-ji. Kyoto, Japan. Muromachi Period, Japan. c
207. Ryoan-ji. Kyoto, Japan. Muromachi Period, Japan. c CE; current design most likely dates to the 18th century. Rock garden.
Zen Buddhism stresses enlightenment by self- introspection and experience in daily life. With intense concentration, you can transcend ego and release from everyday world; creates mental calm and lack of fear.
Aesthetics of Zen shown in rock garden and architecture of Ryoan-ji.
Zen Center for cultural elite from late 16th to 17th century
In 1990’s, 1 million visitors annually
Symbol of Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture

16. Rock Garden

17. Dry Landscape Garden

18. Rock Garden

19. Hojo

20. Ryoan-ji, Japan 1st Gate - Mirror Pond on left and view of mountains
2 Gate – Main monastery building, hojo (abbot’s residence) with rock garden in front, contains rooms for reception, lecture, meeting, etc.
Rear garden with tea house
Dry Garden – Muromachi Period (1392 – 1573)
-Rocks and pebbles to encourage contemplation, gravel symbolizes waterfall, river and sea, rocks symbolize land
-may have been inspired by Shinto
-Present design of Edo Period (1615 – 1868)
Ryoan-ji may symbolize islands in the ocean, or mother tiger carrying cub across the sea or fundamental ideal of Zen philosophy

21. Momoyama Period (1573 – 1615) Government was centralized
Laid groundwork for modern Japan
Tea Ceremony :
Ritual presentation, serving and drinking of green tea. Used to show political or economic power in a cultural way. Tea ceremony helped to democratize society since there was usually no rank at teahouses.

22. 210.
Ogata Kōrin, Red and White Plum Blossoms, Edo period, 18th century, pair of two-fold screens, color and gold leaf on paper, 156 ×172.2 cm each.

23. White and Red Plum Blossoms, Ogata Korin
Ogata Korin was Rimpa founder,
Rimpa = School of Korin
Epitomized Japanese art and had great impact on modernism in the West especially Gustav Klimt
Naturalism and abstraction at same time
Images with bare essentials
Motifs minimal with contrast of form and textures
Ink and pigment dropped on wet surfaces
Screens were 67” and towered over average Japanese of the day
Ogata Korin was from wealthy family that produced and purveyed textiles

24. Edo Period (1615 – 1868) Capital moved to Edo (Tokyo)
Banned Christianity
Expelled all westerners except the Dutch
Tried to control popular culture which was difficult due to literacy

25. 211. Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Katsushika Kokusai – 1833 CE. Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper. 9 7/8” x 1’ 2/34”

26. The Great Wave, Japan
Most iconic Japanese artwork, thousands of prints were made
Hokusai was born in 1760 in Edo (now Tokyo) saw Dutch prints and became interested in linear perspective and low horizon line
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and people made pilgrimages to the mountain to climb.
Ukiyo-e = Japanese woodblock prints made during the Edo Period, it is a Buddhist term, means "floating world" and refers to the impermanence of the world
Separate blocks of wood were used for each color
Prints became popular during Edo period and were sold for cost of bowl of noodles. Often designers sold design to printer who printed them.
Katsushika Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, Also known as Red Fuju, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, c , woodblock print; ink and color on paper, 9 5/8 x 15 in, 24.4 x 38.1 cm

27. Korea Korea is peninsula with many mountains.
It is surrounded by the sea on three sides.
It shares its northern borders with China and Russia,
Closest Southern neighbor is Japan
Approximately six hundred miles from its northern tip to its southern end.
The people of Korea have governed themselves since ancient times for the most part.
Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945)
Koreans speak a single language and regard themselves as homogeneous.

28. 196. Gold and Jade crown. Three Kingdoms Period, Silla Kingdom, Korea
196. Gold and Jade crown. Three Kingdoms Period, Silla Kingdom, Korea. Fifth to sixth century CE. Metalwork. 10 3/4 in. / 27.3 cm high.
In the 5th and 6th century, there were three kingdoms in Korea with the most powerful being the Silla.
Crowns were used for burials and ceremonial rites.
Prior to adopting Buddhism, Koreans practiced Shamanism (nature-worship with priest-like Shaman)
In the Silla kingdom, they used Shamanistic-like practices for coronations and memorials. The power of the wearer was emphasized by power by gold and jewels.

29. Gold and Jade Crown, Korea
Worn on forehead and designed in tree shape called daegwan.
Sacred tree = “world tree” connecting heaven and earth
Gold disks and ornaments symbolize ripe fruit and fertility.
During this period, elite were buried in mounds (like the Chinese) and crowns were used in burials and ceremonies above ground.

30. 205. Portrait of Sin Sukju (1417 - 1475). Imperial Bureau of Painting
205. Portrait of Sin Sukju ( ). Imperial Bureau of Painting. c. 15th Century CE. Hanging scroll (ink and color on silk). 167 x cm.
Portrait paintings of the period (Joseon Dynasty) commemorated sitter in both life and death.
Portraits were made for those to show merit for service to court and loyalty to the king which were then cherished by families
Royal Bureau of Painting = governmental agency staffed with artists
Sin Sukju – dressed in official roses with black silk hat, leather shoes, wooden footstool and hidden hands (proper), rank on badge shows rank (2 peacocks with plants)
Sin Sukju was a scholar, politician and prime minister. He compiled a hwagi which was a commentary on painting and catalog of the prince’s art collection.
Body was generic, but care to show details such as wrinkles in face
Paintings used in ancestral worship and rituals after death. Confucianism stresses honor of elders and ancestors.

31. 205. Portrait of Sin Sukju (1417 - 1475). Imperial Bureau of Painting
205. Portrait of Sin Sukju ( ). Imperial Bureau of Painting. c. 15th Century CE. Hanging scroll (ink and color on silk). 167 x cm.

32. Indonesia
Indonesia is made up of more than 17,ooo tropical and volcanic islands including islands of Java, Bali, and Sumatra, as well as large parts of Borneo and New Guinea (a contested region).
Home to more than three hundred ethnic groups with approximately five hundred spoken languages and dialects
Eighty-seven percent of the population, or some 200 million people, is Islamic, making Indonesia the largest Muslim nation in the world.
Developed complex agricultural societies with rich artistic and cultural traditions
Beliefs in ancestral spirits and animism.
Great history of maritime trade.
350 years of colonization by the Dutch, invasion by the Japanese, and the establishment of an independent nation in 1945.

34. 198. Borobudur Temple. Central Java, Indonesia. Sailendra Dynasty. c
198. Borobudur Temple. Central Java, Indonesia. Sailendra Dynasty. c. 750 – 842 CE. Volcanic-stone masonry.
Built as monument to Buddha.
100 years after being built, fell into disuse. Rediscovered by British Governor Sir Thomas Raffles in 1814.
Architect, poet and philosopher = Gunadharma
Basic structure is pyramid with shrine, stupa (reliquary) and sacred mountain in 3-D mandala.
Open-air passages lead upward and allow devotees to circumambulate clockwise to ascend upward.

35. Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia
Geometry and theology = goal of enlightenment
504 sculptures of Buddha and stone reliefs
Transcendence via the Dharma (Noble Eight-Fold Path) is goal. Fixed self is delusional – with enlightenment there is no self.
The physical movement of circumambulation is symbolic path of enlightenment moving from darkness into light.

36. Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia

37. Cambodia
Cambodia is part of Southeast Asia (along with comprising modern-day Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines).
Funan was the earliest kingdom in the area.
The Khmer Empire was established by the early 9th century until 11th century.
Khmer Empire introduced Buddhism and brought great advancements in architecture, political organization, etc.
Today Cambodia is 95% Buddhist
Khmer Rouge was the communist party in 1968.

38. 199. Angkor, the temple of Angor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. Hindu, Angkor Dynasty. c. 800 – 1400 CE. Stone masonry, sandstone.
Largest religious monument in the world
Angkor Wat = “city temple” - not original name, but we have no documentation of original name
Built under King Suryavarman II (Protector of the Sun)
Dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu (Protector) also meant to serve as mausoleum for the king.
Khmer Kings built temples to legitimize power.
Hindu temples were built as homes for the god not for congregation of worshippers.

39. Temple of Angor Wat, Cambodia
300,000 workers and 30 years to build
Bas reliefs of 8 different Hindu stories
Stories such as “Churning of Ocean Milk” story – the beginning of time, victory of god vs. evil, gods fight demons
5 stone towers = symbolize 5 mountain ranges of Meru the mythical home to Hindu and Buddhist gods
Temple built as mandala to be in harmony with universe with a central axis to be aligned with the planets; connects structures to the cosmos.
Most of Cambodia is now Buddhist today.

40. Temple of Angor Wat, Cambodia