Just
like every country, Japanese art has transformed through decades of
contact among other countries. Many of Japanese style art had
originated from China, and during the early periods they were brought
over to Japan and adopted. Japan had perfected these styles and
branched off some of their own techniques and skills, which added to
the unique quality of Japanese art. During the Kamakura period there
was an obvious transformation of art styles through the years
1185-1333. Even today, many elements of traditional Japanese culture
and history remain a big part of Japan's life and art. Many of the
artists during the Kamakura period and the periods before that are
unknown, and those artists were never credited. Their artworks were
left as only cherished pieces of the past, but that doesn't mean they
didn't have an impact. Traditional Japanese art during the Kamakura
Period was the stepping stones to the many different styles and
portrayals of Japan art today. Through religion and politics,
symbolism, and a new global audience, Japan was able to transform
their traditional styles and adopt many other styles as well.
It seems unlikely that
religion and politics would play a role in art of historical Japan.
However, Japan was one of the countries that used religion and
politics as the subject of their arts. Whether is was cultures,
paintings on hand scrolls, or architecture, these two groups were
paying close attention to Japan art. During the Kamakura period, two
clans in Japan were fighting for power at the crucial point of the
emperors weakness. The emperors clan consisted of the Taira, who had
high hopes of gaining the power when the emperor had passed. But when
the Minamoto clan had ruthless kidnapped the emperor, the leader of
the Minamoto clan, Yoritomo, would become appointed as general in
chief (shogun) of all military in the Kyoto area. Despite this
victory, the Taira clan would eventual win many of the battles
against the Minamoto clan, resulting in the death of Yoritomo
himself. Despite all this happening later on in the Kamakura period,
during Yoritomo's military power, many samurai (warriors) were very
powerful in Japan. This meant that they influenced almost everything
that happened in Japan.
Meanwhile, religion was
also becoming a very strong power in Japan during the Kamakura
period. Temples and buildings had art all over the grounds, and even
in the architecture. Temples would have sculptures and religious art
among the walls and outside on the sacred grounds. During
the late Heian Period and the beginning of the Kamakura period, Pure
Land Buddhism, also known as Shin Buddhism or Amidism, was spreading
across Japan and became widely popular even today. Pure Land Buddhist
beliefs adopted basic Buddhist teachings, but focused more on
devoting oneself to Amida, one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas.
Pure Land Buddhism was popular for it's flexibility, for many of
it's doctrines and teachings could be tweaked and altered. This
allowed people of different levels of education to understand and
follow Pure Land Buddhism. This resulted in different sects of
ideology in the religion.
Raigo
paintings became widely popular in Japan when Pure Land Buddhism
became a well known religion. They were basically hung in homes, or
brought to dying people in hopes that their soul would be sent to the
Pure Land. Raigo
means 'welcoming approach' as a way to welcome believers of Pure Land
Buddhism to the Western Paradise when they died.
Japanese
people would attach gold chords to these paintings, and the dying
person would hold onto these cords in hopes that Amida Buddha would
bring their soul to paradise. In the Kamakura period they were made
in vast numbers and in homes. These paintings showed faithfulness and
devotion to the religion just as much as chanting “Amida Buddha”.
These paintings often depicted Amida Buddha on a cloud coming down
from the heavens, often assisted by bodhisattvas. In a simplified
definition in the Miriam Webster dictionary, bodhisattvas were
basically beings that refrained from entering the Western Paradise
out of compassion, in order to save those who were suffering. They
were often worshipped as deities.
In
this popular painting from the Kamakura Period on the left, the
Japanese artist was skilled in the art of kirikane.
This
technique uses very thin slivers of gold leaf, and use it to decorate
the Buddha and his bodhisattvas. The usage of gold leaf emphasizes
divine radiance of these deities. It contrasts greatly with the dark
silk of the painting, which helps heighten the golden feature. Also,
take note of the beautiful landscape in the painting, which was
popular in Shinto beliefs because they resembled nature like elements
from where the deities would be from.
In
Hisashi's painting “Yamagoe Amitaabha” this is a modern take on
the traditional Raigo paintings that were popular in Pure Land
Buddhism. Aspects of modern day culture are the tattoos that cover
Amida Buddha and modern day paints like acrylic. However, the rest of
the painting is a much more traditional set. Although very
minuscule, even the hand gesture and the samurais in the background
mean something that can be related to Japans history. The hand
gesture “mudra”
is an iconic theme of Buddhism with very important meanings. In this
painting, Amida Buddha displays the Vitarka
mudra which
translates to 'Teaching gesture'. It represents the constant flow of
energy and information through the circle created by the thumb and
the fore finger. This gesture is popular among great Buddhas in
relation to learning the laws of Buddhism. Even the samurai in the
background can mean a lot of things like 7 of the 25 bodhisattvas by
the side of Amida, 7 Gods of Fortune in Japan, or the 7 Factors of
Enlightenment in Buddhism.
Later
on in the Kamakura Period, Chinese emigrants and Japanese monks
returning from China introduced Zen Buddhism. Originating and
mastered in China, Zen Buddhism
was
a lot like the original Buddhist teachings, which focused on
meditation as a way to individual enlightenment. However, Zen
Buddhism did not rely on spiritual deities or chanting like Pure Land
Buddhism. Zen focused on a more realistic outlook on life which would
later become a part of the politics side became a part of art in
Japan. The warrior class of Japan during the Kamakura period changed
their views and beliefs in Japan, wanting to focus more on realism
and not deities like Amida Buddha. With Zen Buddhism came a new style
of art form and painting technique. This new art style emphasized
realism which later on would help representing events, people, and
legends through sculptures and paintings. This would reinforce and
educate people of the Japanese culture, and pass along traditions and
legends.
Suibokuga
was very popular during the trend of Zen Buddhism and originated and
was mastered in China. Because Zen Buddhism focuses on individual
enlightenment, Zen practices were all about simplicity, clarity,
achieving a goal the most natural way. Which is why suibokuga (ink
wash paintings) refrains from using different colours, and depth is
all about manipulating and mastering the ink with shades of grey and
the thickness of each stroke of line. Each ink painting was said to
have a specific goal or aim, just like Zen Buddhist beliefs, and use
symbolism and calligraphy as hints and hidden messages. Both the
samurai class and Zen Buddhists beliefs wanted to focus more on
realism and the beauty of nature, which is why Zen art was widely
related to the art of a samurai in battle. With the composure before
strike of a stroke, it became the calm before the fearless strike of
a samurai’s sword.
At
first glance at a traditional Japanese painting, you would only focus
on the obvious subject of the painting. Maybe Amida Buddha in the sky
with his bodhisattvas, or a Zen master meditating by a river. You
would only focus on what is plainly the subject of the painting.
However, in Japan there were many ways to symbolize other elements of
art such as emotion, change, and diversity. Symbolism in Japanese art
dates all the way back to ancient times. Japanese traditional beliefs
were very close with the beauty of nature. This can be expressed
through Japanese poems, paintings, and even the festivals they
celebrate during the year. The changing seasons played a very
important role in symbolizing human emotion and truth in Japanese
art. Shinto beliefs before the Kamakura period were through to be
intertwined with Buddhist beliefs in the Kamakura period. Shinto
beliefs such as the kami
( Japanese deities) were believed to be emanations of Buddhists which
was there original forms. Kami
were
deities that descended from the heavens, where there was beautiful
mountains, tall trees, flowing waterfalls, etc. The kami
were believed to protect life and the forces of nature.
Japanese
artists connected the natural elements of the world to human
emotions. A lot of paintings focused on emotions such as pain, loss,
and disappointment in connection with the decay and death of nature
like trees, flowers, and also the autumn and winter seasons. However,
a popular Japanese convention back then was to show the seasons
changing in one painting, such as trees blossoming, humid summers,
geese flying, and barren trees to express winter. The Japanese would
relate cycle to how humans are always changing, which was a popular
concept in Buddhism. Clouds represented high status and elegance,
while waves and water represented power and dexterity. Even different
types of flowers in modern Japanese paintings symbolize different
meanings such as love, strength, and long life. Even trees were often
associated with faith and peace, which is why they were commonly used
in Raigo paintings, along with mountains, which symbolized something
unmoving or fixed like the belief of religion. Even the deer at the
bottom of the “Kasuga Shrine Mandala” which is very small and
prominent and the bottom of the scroll represent messengers to the
kami.
Over
time, paintings in Japan became more about trends and fads, taking
away from the deep symbolism and emotion from traditional art.
During
the earlier periods of Japan was very open countries like Korea and
China. This was not a problem, during these times since there was
very small contact with other countries. It was only during the later
periods of Japan did they start to isolate themselves. This was
probably due to the growing movement of westernization. Even
westernization affected art culture in Japan and this most likely
resulted in Japan going through a period of isolationism. When
western style paintings like oil paintings began to grow popular in
Japan, many political power and Japanese artists saw this as
negative. Japanese artists who began to do western paintings ( called
'yoga'
in Japan) were seen as traitors to Japan. There was a decline in the
traditional Japanese style paintings like suibokuga and even raigo
paintings. Japan felt the need to reinforce their own national style
of painting. So,
in response to the decline, Nihonga
became popular during the Meiji period.
Nihonga mean “Japanese painting” but is more based on a more
modern style of painting with the use of traditional techniques and
inks. Nihonga style paintings combine elements from different styles
and techniques in Japan, and also from Western style oil painting. An
element of Nihonga painting was ukiyoe,which
was a style of painting done on woodblock. These usually depicted the
changing society of Japan, and also became popular as a market type
of art that showed trends, a Westernizing Japan, sumo wrestlers,
fashion, etc.
Eventually,
Japan became more open to the other countries, and westernization
influenced a lot of parts of Japan. Fashion, media, and even art
changed greatly even today. In the art world, art changed in
different area. Animation became a use of entertainment, using
animated characters that still follow along with Japanese traditions
and culture in modern day Japan. Along with the changing society art
has transformed. The style of Neo Nihonga was created in 2001 by
Tenmyouya Hisashi. As a contemporary sub genre to the Nihonga style
paintings Neo Nihonga uses a mix of traditional mineral pigments like
in the Meiji period, but also uses more modern types of paint such as
acrylic and even technology. It uses traditional Japanese line
drawing, decoration, symbolism, and playful elements to incorporate
contemporary art with classical Japanese aspects. Neo Nihonga
develops from classical Japanese styles like ukiyoe
and
other forms and uses it for modern importance. This means that a lot
of Neo Nihonga art uses traditional styles of art, but with a twist
of modern day aspects. In the painting “Para-para
Dancing (Great Empire of Japan) vs. Break-dancing
(America )” by Tenmyouya Hisashi, it is obvious how he has
incorporated modern culture with traditional Japanese style. The
yukata
is
worn by the young women, preforming a popular Japanese pop dance. It
also shows how North America has influenced the world, but
incorporating popular dance form break dancing from America.
Even
his painting
called “RX-78-2 Kabuki-mono 2005 version” is a great example of
his Neo Nihonga art, which takes a piece of Japans history and
combines it with modern day elements. The subject of the painting
looks like it was inspired by the popular 'Transformers' which was
made to look a lot like a samurai's armour. Also, Hisashi
incorporated a very notorious dragon in his painting. Dragon's often
were a part of religion and art in Japan a long time ago. They were
considered protectors of shrines and buildings to protect evil
spirits. They were considered a legendary creature of the east that
was identified with the season of spring, the colours of green or
blue, and elements like wood and water. Even the claws on the dragon
symbolize something important to Japanese history. Because dragons
were originated in China, dragons that were depicted there often had
five claws for the Chinese imperial family. The three clawed dragons
were reserved for the colonial type such as Japan. Dragons remain a
very important aspect in Japanese legends and folklore.
Japanese
art has transformed through history and has developed in the most
unique way. The history of Japan was incorporated in Japanese art
throughout the periods, helping depicting events, traditions,
religion, and legends. These traditional style used in these
paintings were became dissipated and then later on brought up.
Religion and politics played roles in what was in art, and resulted
in many important traditions and cultures that were passed down.
Even in modern day Japan, Pure Land Buddhism and Zen Buddhism are
very popular and recognized in Japan as an important part of history.
Symbolism still remains a core element of Japanese style paintings,
and have varied throughout the years. The seasons and nature were
related to human emotions in historical paintings. Even today,
symbolism in contemporary art such as Neo Nihonga paintings are often
emphasizing Japanese change in society with Westernization and
advanced technology. Japan has opened up their country to the world,
expanding it's art to a new found global audience. Hisashi's
paintings are an example of how his art speaks not only to Japanese
people but to a global audience that includes North America, Europe,
and other countries. He incorporated traditional styles of painting,
with pun related Japanese stereotypes and elements and gave a modern
day twist to his works of art. It is important to see how rapid art
has changed through decades, and how historical art has influenced
art today. Even today, technology has become so advanced that the art
world is always changing.
Bibliography
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Page ON. "TENMYOUYA HISASHI Official Website ｜
天明屋尚."
http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~tenmyoya/index.html.
O'Brien,
Barbara. "What Are the Origins and Practices of Pure Land
Buddhism?" About.
http://buddhism.about.com/od/purelandbuddhism/a/pureland.htm.
Sipe,
Lynn. "Mudras in Buddhism." Urban
Dharma / Buddhism in America.
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma7/mudras.html.
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Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Seasonal Imagery in Japanese Art |
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Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan
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http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/seim/hd_seim.htm.
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