1. Japan Jomon and Yayoi Periods ca. 10500 BCE – 300 CE
Kofun Period ca. 300 – 552
Asuka and Nara Periods
Heian Period – 1185
Kamakura Period

3. Jomon Period (ca. 10,500 BCE – 300 BCE)
10,000 years before the birth of Buddha
Jomon (“cord markings”)- refers to technique that Japanese potters of this era use to decorate earthenware vessels.
They were hunter-gatherers, but not nomadic
Villages consisted of pit dwellings– shallow round excavations with raised earthen rims and thatched roofs
Developed distinct ceramic technology before development of agriculture

4. Mid-Jomon Pottery (2500-1500 BCE)
Pottery surfaces  rope markings, incised lines, and applied coils of clay
Dwelled in mountainous inland region
Modeled ceramic ornament favored over painted ceramic ornament
Vessels used for many purposes, ranging from cooking to bone burial. Most elaborately decorated vessels used in ceremonial functions

5. From Miyanomae
Characteristic, intricately modeled surface and partially sculpted rim
Japans vessels are thick and heavy compared to the Neolithic Chinese vessels that are harder, lighter, thinner, and painted

6. Yayoi Period (ca. 300 BCE – 300 CE)
Named after the Yayoi district of Tokyo, where the first post-Jomon civilization was discovered. The culture actually emerged in Kyushu (southernmost part of the main Japanese islands) and spread north.
Increased interaction and trade with China and Korea and Korean immigration caused dramatic social and technological transformations
Still lived in pit dwellings, but villages became larger and had more fortifications which indicates a need for defense
In the 3rd century, Japan had walled towns, many small kingdoms, and a highly stratified social structure
Wet-rice agriculture provided social and economic foundations for these developments
Yayoi pottery was less sculptural than Jomon ceramics and sometimes polychrome, and they developed bronze casting and loom weaving

7. Dotaku Yayoi artists created dotaku, or bells
Resemble Han Chinese bell form, but the Yayoi didn’t use dotaku as musical instruments
They were treasured ceremonial bronzes and were usually put into graves.
Cast in clay molds, featuring raised geometric decoration presented in bands or clocks
Many consist of simple line drawings of people and animals– their meaning still is not understood
Earliest examples of pictorial art in Japan

8. Kofun Period (ca )
Named after the enormous earthen burial mounds, or tumuli (ko means “old” and fun means “tomb”)
These mounds arose in the third century and grew dramatically in number and scale in the fourth century

9. Tomb of Nintoku
The largest tumulus in Japan is the tomb of Nintoku at Sakai
Scholars believe it postdates his death in 399
Central mound, “keyhole” form, is approx ft long and rises to about 90 ft.
Surrounded by 3 moats, covers 458 acres
Many important, symbolic items and imperial regalia (mirrors, swords, and comma-shaped jewels) were place with coffin in summit of the mound to assist in the deceased’s transition to the next life.
Bronze mirrors from China, but burial mound forms and comma-shaped jewels suggests strong connection with Korea (similar jewels found on Korean Silla crowns)

10. Haniwa
Haniwa= unglazed ceramic sculptures (hani means “clay” and wa means “circle”)
Placed on and around Kofun tumuli
These sculptures, usually several feet high, are distinctly Japanese; compared to the Chinese terracotta soldiers and horses, these statues appear deceptively whimsical as variations on cylindrical theme.
Subjects range from abstract shapes to objects, animals, and human figures.
The variety of figures suggest they functioned as spiritual barriers to protect living and dead from contamination
Set in curvin grows around tumulus and in groups around tumulus in haniwa house directly over dead’s burial chamber
Number of haniwa reflect the stature of the dead person

11. Shrine of Amaterasu Religious system = Shinto
Japanese imperial clan traces origins to the sun goddess Amaterasu
Her shrine at Ise is most important Shinto religious center
Characteristics of Shinto: sacred space, ritual renewal, and purification
Unique because design could not be copied because of its connection to the Japanese imperial family.
Original source for form: graneries
Thatched roof, metallic decorations, but made mostly of wood. Wood fitted by mortise-and-tenon system (builders slip wallboards into slots in pillars)
2 massive freestanding posts (cypress trunks), 1 at each end of the main sanctuary, support most of weight of ridgepole, beam at crest of roof.
Golden-hued cypress columns and planks contrast in color with white gravel
Decorative elements enhance roofline, include chigi, extensions of rafters at each end of roof, and katsuogi, wooden logs placed at right angles across ridgepole to hold thatch of roof in place.
Amaterasu shrine highlight connection between nature and spirit

12. Shinto Shinto- “Way of the Gods” Formal scriptures do not exist
Developed in conjunction with advent of agriculture during Yayoi period
Focused on needs of agrarian society and included agricultural surrounding planting and harvesting
Villagers venerated and prayed to kami, multitude of gods or spirits that existed in features of nature, charismatic people and where they dwelled
Each clan had its own protector kami
Priests made grain and fruit offerings; ritual divination, water purification, and ceremonial purifucations took place at shrines
Purity was critical aspect of religion
If negative events (poor harvest) that suggested spiritual defilement occurred, people would abandon buildings or whole villages

13. Buddhist Japan
552- Korean ruler of Paekche sent Japan’s ruler a gilded broze statue of the Buddha along with sutras (Buddhist scriptures) translated into Chinese  marked beginning of Asuka period, where japan embraced many elements of the continental Asia.
These elements included Chinese writing, Confucianism, and Buddhism
645- series of reforms led to establishment of a centralized government  marked beginning of Nara period, when Japanese ruling court adopted many components of the Chinese ruling court
710- establishment of intended permanent capital at Heijo (present-day Nara); planners laid out capital on symmetrical grid closely modeled after plan on Chinese capital Chang’an
For half a century after 552, Buddhism opposed, but after, it was established firmly in Japan
Older beliefs and practices continued to have significance, especially as agricultural rituals and imperial court rites

14. Asuka and Nara Periods
Arts associated with Buddhists practices were modeled closely after Chinese and Korean prototypes
So closely resembled mainland architecture, it helped with reconstruction later

15. Tori Busshi
Earliest example of Japanese Buddhist sculptures is a bronze Buddhist triad (Buddha flanked by 2 bodhisattvas)
Empress Suiko commissioned the work as votive offering when Prince Shotuku fell ill in 621. When he died, she dedicated it to the prince’s well-being in his next life and rebirth in paradise.
Central figure is Shaka ( Indian/Chinese Sakyamuni), historical Buddha, seated with right hand raised in abhaya mudra
Behind Shaka is flaming mandorla (lotus-petal shaped nimbus) incorporating small figures of other Buddhas
Sculptor: Tori Busshi (busshi means “maker of Buddhist images”) was a descendant of a Chinese immigrant
Similar to style of early to mid-6th century in China and Korea and is characterized by elongated heads and elegantly stylized drapery folds that form gravity-defying swirls

16. Yakushi Triad
In the Yakushiji temple of the late 7th cent in Nara, the scultor favored grater anatomical definiteion and shape-revealing drapery over the dramatic sylizations of Tori Busshi’s triad
The statues of the attendant bodhisattvas Nikko and Gakko reveal the long stylistic trail back through China to the sensuous fleshiness and outthrust-hip poses of Indian sculpture.

17. Horyuji Kondo

18. Main pillars decrease in diameter from bottom to top
Tapering provides an effective transition between the more delicate brackets above and the columns’ stout forms
Harmonious reduction in scale from first to second story is masked by added porch a bit
Like the other 3, Amida, the Buddha of immeasurable light and infinite life, ruler of the Western Pure Land, sits enthroned in his paradisiacal land, attended b y bodhisattvas
Exclusive worship of Amida later became a major trend in Japanese Buddhism
Painting here is simple and iconic
Technique similar to fresco, such as transferring designs from paper to wall by piercing holes in paper and pushing colored powder through holes.
Mature Tang style, with echoes of Indian sensuality, surfaces in this work. Smooth brush lines, called iron-wire lines, because they are thin and of unvarying width with a suggestion of tensile strength
Lines are red, not black

19. Daibutsuden, Todaiji
Administrative center of a network of branch temples built in every province
Dissemination of a common religion contributed to the eventual disruption of the clan system and the unification of disparate political groups
So important was the erection of the building and the Daibutsu that court and government officials as well as Buddhist dignitaries from China and India were present at the opening ceremonies in 752
Today the building is significantly smaller than the original (original had 11 bays, currently has 7 bays)
Still the largest wooden building in the world
Kondo known as the Daibutsuden, or Great Buddha Hall
Houses 53-ft bronze image of the Cosmic Buddha, Roshana (Vairocana), inspired by similar Chinese colossal stone statues
Commissioned b yEmporer Shomu in 743 to try to unify and strengthen the country by using religious authority to reinforce imperial power

20. Heian Period ( )
In 784, possibly to escape power of Buddhist priests in Nara, the imperial house moved its capital to Heiankyo (“capital of peace and tranquility”), known to day as Kyoto
Early in the period, Japan and China remained fairly close, but by the middle of the ninth century, contact between the two deteriorated extremely quickly.
It became more self-directed than it had been in the preceding few centuries

21. Esoteric Buddhism
Named so because of the secret transmission of tis teachings
2 Esoteric sects made their appearance in Japan at the beginning of the Heian period: Tendai in 805 and Shingon in 806
Teachings of Tendai based on the Lotus Sutra, one of the Buddhist scriptural narratives, and Shingon (True Word) teachings on two other sutras
Both teachings believe that all individual possess buddha nature and can achieve enlightenment through meditation rituals and careful living
To aid focus during meditation, Shingon disciples use special hand gestures (mudras) and recite particular words or syllables (shingon).
Shingon became the primary form of Buddhism in Japan through the mid-10th century

22. Taizokai Mandara
Art provided followers with visualizations of specific Buddhist deities and allowed them to contemplate the transcendental concepts central to the religion
Mandara= diagram of the cosmic universe
Womb World (Taizokai) is one of the most famous mandaras, usually hung on wall of a Shingon kondo
Composed of 12 zones, each representing one of the variou dimensions of buddha nature
Many figures hold lightning bolts, symbolizing the power of the mind to destroy human passion
Womb World and Diamond World (Kongokai) are pair paintings
Central motif of Womb World is the lotus of compassion, in Diamond World it is the diamond scepter of wisdom

23. Phoenix Hall, Uji

24. Most important surviving monument in Japan related to Pure Land beliefs
Fujiwara Yorimichi built the temple in memory of his father, Michinaga, on the grounds of Michinaga’s summer villa at Uji
Houses a wooden statue of Amida carved from multiple joined blocks, the predominant wooden sculpture technique of this time
Elaborate winged form evokes images of the Buddha’s palace in his Pure Land
By placing only light pillars on the exterior, elevating wings, and situating the whole on a reflective pond, a floating weightlessness is suggested
Building’s name is derived from its overall birdlike shape and from two bronze phoenixes decorating the ridgepole ends

25. Tale of Genji
Japan’s most admired literary classic, written around 1000 by Murasaki Shikubu (aka Lady Murasaki), a lady-in-waiting in the court
Recounts lives and loves of Prince Genji and his descendants
Gives view of the Heian court culture
Originally consisted of 10 handscrolls produced by 5 teams of artisans
Primarily hiragana, a sound-based writing system developed in Japan from Chinese characters
Hiragana originally served the needs of women who were not taught Chinese and became the primary script for Japanese court poetry
Alternating segments of text and pictures

26. In this scene, Genji meets with his greatest love near the time of her death
Bush-clover in the garden identifies the season as autumn, associated with the fading of life and love
Radically upturned ground plane and strong diagonal lines suggest 3 dimensional space
Omitted roofs and ceilings allow privileged view of the interior
Unusual angles are metaphors for the emotions of the characters depicted
Flat fields of unshaded color emphasize the painting’s 2 dimensional character
Rich patterns in the textiles and architectural ornament five a feeling of sumptuousness
Human figures appear to be made of stiff layers of clothing, with generalized faces (lack of individualization may suggest societal restrictions on looking directly at exalted individuals)
Features of Genji illustrations– native subjects, bright mineral pigments, lack of emphasis on strong brushwork, and general flatness– considered typical of native-style painting, yamato-e

27. Legends of Mount Shigi Painted during the late 12th century
Belong to a genre of pious Buddhist tales devoted to miraculous events involving virtuous individuals
Several scenes presented in a long, unbroken stretch
Illustrate 3 miracles associated with a Buddhist monk and his mountaintop temple
The first relates the story of the flying storehouse and depicts Myoren’s begging bowl lifting the rice-filled granary of a greedy farmer and carrying it off to the monk’s hut in the mountains (above)
Astonished landowner, his attendants, and several onlookers are all depicted in various poses
Artist exaggerated each feature of the painted figures, but still depicted the actors and architecture

28. Kamakura Period ( )
In late 12th century, series of civil wars ended the Japanese imperial court as a major political and social force
Victors, Minamoto family, established a shogunate (military government) at Kamakura in eastern Japan
First shogun was Minamoto Yoritomo, bestowed his title in 1185
This period named for the locale
Increased contact with China was translated into Japanese culture, ranging from new architectural styles to Zen Buddhism

29. Shunjobo Chogen
Leading figure in planning and directing the reconstruction efforts was the priest Shunjobo Chogen
Made various trips to China and oversaw the rebuilding of Todaji, among other projects, with plenty of money from Minamoto
His portrait statue reflects the high level of naturalism present in the Kamakura Period
The finely painted details, powerful rendering of the signs of aging, and the inclusion of such personal attributes as prayer beads, this statue exhibits the carving style and skill of the Kei School of sculptors
Kei School displays fine Heian carving techniques combined with an increased concern for natural volume and detail
To enhance the quality of Japanese statues is the use of inlaid rock crystals for the eyes

30. Attack on Sanjo Palace Striking example of handscroll painting
Dates to the 13th cent and illustrates historical narrative
Depicts some of the battles in the civil wars at the end of the Heian Period
Picture above shows the attack on Sanjo Palace in the middle of the night in which the retired emperor Goshirakawa was taken prisoner and his palace burned
Swirling flames and billowing clouds dominate the picture
Soldiers are battling on horse and foot at the bottom
Building seen from above at a sharp angle
Noteworthy staccato brushwork and vivid flashes of color that capture the drama of the event

31. Amida Descending
In this picture, a gigantic Amida rises from behind the mountains against the backdrop of a dark sky
His 2 main attendant bodhisattvas, Kannon and Seishi, have already descended and are depicted as is directly addressing the deceased
2 boys point to the approaching divinities, contrasting with Amida’s still and frontal figure
Particularly striking is the way his halo (nimbus)resembles a rising moon

32. Muromachi
The Kamakura period ended the same way it begin: in civil war
After several years of conflict, one shogun emerged supreme and he governed Japan from his headquarters in the Muramachi district of Kyoto