1. Japanese Art
& Literature

2. Japanese art covers a wide spectrum of mediums
Forms of Japanese Art
Japanese art covers a wide spectrum of mediums
Including...

3. Ancient Pottery

4. Wood Sculpting

5. Ink Painting

6. Calligraphy

7. Introduction to japanese art
Similar to China and Korea, much of Japan’s ancient art drew influence from its dominant religion. In fact, Japanese art did not become especially complex until it started introducing Buddhist overtones in the 7th & 8th Century
Japan had time to refine it’s dominant art forms through class alites who spent a lot of their time practicing these arts. Much of which, was heavy in religious depiction
However, during Japan’s time of isolation, religion became less prominent in the daily lives of its citizens and many art mediums associated with religion, such as sculpting, became less popular.
Nowadays, Japan’s most popular medium for artistic expression is painting. Particularly water color, ink painting, and calligraphy.

8. A History of Japanese Art

9. Jomon Period
Japanese Art started in the Jomon period when ancient settlers would mold clay vessels with the signature cord markings that defined its period.

10. Yayoi period
During the yayoi period, settlers of neighboring locations brought with them the knowledge of bronze and copper manufacturing so metal sculpting became more prevalent
(Settlers said “yall want bronze?” and Japan said “Yes! We’ll use it to make little tiny horses)
Look at that Horse!

11. Heian Art
Much of Japan’s most prominent religious art forms developed during this period when the priest Kukai traveled to China to study Shingon Buddhism and brought back a lot of new religious knowledge that mostly influenced the art of Japanese Architecture Design
Tired of domes?
Try cones!

12. Emaki
The style of art that ancient Japan is most well known for as well came from the Heian period. Emaki were long horizontal painted hand scrolls, that often told stories. The literary classic The Tale of Genji was first illustrated using Emaki

13. Kamakura
From the Kamakura era came a very particular style of painting that Japan is often known for. Kamakura art is a branch of the Emaki style. Kamakura emphasised painting in realism and was often the result of male painters, often those who had fixations of warfare! So these overtones are apparent in this style.
(like war? Then you'll love painting!)

14. Muromachi Art
During the Muromachi period many of the war-fixated figures who had control of Japan lost their power, along with them went the Kamakura style of art. It was then that Japan was re-introduced to the art of Zen Buddhism. The subject matter of Japanese painting shifted as a result of these new influences and religious overtones were prevalent once again.
(friendship with warfare painting over. Now Zen Buddhism is our new best friend)

15. Edo Period Art
During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate decided that maybe Japan didn't need any friends and closed off its borders to the outside world. This was known as the Tokugawa policies. It was during this time that Japan decided to get REALLY artsy as an expression of angst against the Tokugawa shogunate.
Some notable examples are:

16. the painting style of dripping wet colors onto each other
Tarashikomi
the painting style of dripping wet colors onto each other

17. Bunjinga
a style of painting using mostly black & white monochrome ink and almost always depicting chinese landscapes
(Take that Shogunate!)

18. Started from the bottom
Contemporary Art
Nowadays Japan is mostly a business driven country and often people live in incredibly urbanized areas where nature may sparsely be seen. However, Japan's rapid advancements in technology has given many artists new mediums to explore their artistic practices The most notable example of modern Japanese art would be Anime. Anime was actually inspired by cartoons imported from America in the early 20th century and ever since then it's been able to take on it's own style and has become one of Japan's largest global influences.
Started from the bottom
Now were here

19. Japanese Literature

20. Early Japanese Literature
Japan was originally introduced to literature around through imports from china. Two of the most ancient pieces of Japanese Writing are The Kojiki and The Nihon Shoki. Both of these were written using the Chinese alphabet as Japan did not quite yet have its own established alphabet. The Kojiki is a collection of songs, legends, myths and historical accounts of Ancient Japan. The Nihon Shoki could be considered a much more elaborated form of The Kojiki.

21. Earliest Known Novel
One of the earliest pieces of literature that could be considered a novel originated from ancient Japan and was known as Genji Monogatari (or The Tale of Genji). The Tale of Genji follows the life of Hikaru Genji, son of an Emperor during the Heian Period, as he seeks to hide the various affairs he has while under the rule of his father and endures other trials and tribulations of love in ancient Japan.

22. Edo Literature
It was during the Edo Period that literacy was becoming widespread as a result of a newly stabilized government. Because of this, similar to art, production of literature skyrocketed and many classic literature pieces resulted from this era. A few notable examples of this era were:
Koshoku Ichidai onna (The Life of an Amorous Woman): The story of an elderly woman detailing her life experiences and how she inevitably becomes the mistress of a daimyo
Haiku: A very popular 5 syllable, 7 syllable, 5 syllable style of poetry. This style of poetry was popularized by Matsuo Bashou, A well known poet who was mostly famous for his series of Travel Diaries.

23. Modern Literature
As Japan exited its time of Isolation it began receiving influences from western nations, and ultimately prompted Japan to focus mainly on Western style of writing - particularly Novels
A few famous examples of Modern Japanese novels would be:
-Ukigumo (Drifting Clouds): A psychological analysis of 1800’s Japanese Behavior through the protagonist, Utsumi Bunzo
-Maihime (The Dancing Girl): Follows the story of a Japanese woman and her love affairs in Germany
-Kagirinaku toumei ni chikai buru (Almost Transparent Blue): Follows the story of Ryu and his romantic romp with an American woman named Lily. This novel ended up winning the Akutagawa prize, which is Japan’s most coveted Literary Prize

24. Final Thoughts There was an attempt and that’s all that matters :-)
Japan has an incredibly extensive history of both art and literature and it was difficult narrowing down what i felt would be the most important details. Despite being significantly younger than neighboring asian countries, its artistic and literary influences have had a tremendous global impact on both ancient and modern culture. The influences of Japanese art & literature can be seen everywhere in daily life, even if we don’t realize it
Every Anime T-shirt we see in the street is the direct result of hundreds of year of japanese artistic development.
Much of the aesthetics our generation especially value is the direct of Japanese artistic influence. Many people will often sport Japanese character on their clothes, cars, and accessories. People will get Japanese characters tattooed on their body or you'll even see people get Japanese characters tattooed on their body, even if they don't fully understand what it means, because they appreciate the aesthetic.
There was an attempt and that’s all that matters :-)

25. Work Cited http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Japanese_art