JAPANESE ART

Iris Joy Degaños

EARLY HEIAN [JOGAN] PERIOD
794-897
The period is named after the capital point of the
world, Heian-kyo, or modern Kyoto.
Heian ( 平安 ) means "peace and tranquility" in
Japanese.
It is considered a high point in Japanese culture that
later generations have always admired. The period is
also noted for the rise of the samurai class, which
would eventually take power and start the feudal
period of Japan.
TENDAI

Named after the monastery of Tien-tai in Zhejiang

Province, China
Brought to Japan by monk Saicho [Dengyo Daishi]
Center of the system: Shaka
SHINGON
Founded by Kukai [Kobo Daishi]
Literally means True Word and
had developed in China from the
Indian Mantrayana system during
the Tang Dynasty.
Center of the system: Roshana
Ritual magic was the core of
Shingon practice
ARCHITECTURE OF THE MURO-JI

Believed to be a home of a powerful water spirit

MURO-JI TEMPLE
KONDO MURO-JI
MURO-JI'S FIVE-STOREY PAGODA
SCULPTURE

Based on Gandhara style

Usually made of fragrant wood and left unpainted
Yakushi Buddha in the
Jingo-ji, Kyoto

Buddha of
Kushan Mathura
Eleven-headed Kannon of
the Hokke-ji, Nara
PAINTING

Five Guardians
LATE HEIAN [FUJIWARA] PERIOD
897-1185
Fujiwara: the family that had been marrying its
daughters to successive emperors that gradually
gained virtual control of the country.
THE TALE OF GENJI

Novel by Murasaki Shikibu

Considered to be the world’s first novel
Over 500 chapters
YAMATO-E
Yamato-e ( 大和絵 ) is a style of Japanese painting
inspired by Tang Dynasty paintings and developed in
the late Heian period.
It is considered the classical Japanese style.
Remained secular
Fine line, strong patterning and bright colors
Often gold and silver were used
BYODO-IN TEMPLE

Built by Fjiwara Yorimichi

Central hall: Ho-o-do or Phoenix Hall
JOCHO
Popularized the
joined block
technique
KAMAKURA PERIOD
1185-1333
The fall of Heian
Initially ruled by Minamoto Yoritomo
KAMAKURA SCULPTURE
New realism
The intensity of the deity's
gaze, omniscient and direct,
is accomplished by a
Kamakura period innovation:
inlaid crystal eyes backed by
white paper appropriately
colored to effect the iris and
pupil. 

Bishamonten
ZEN
Chan Buddhism
emphasizes experiential prajña in the attainment of
enlightenment. As such, it de-emphasizes theoretical
knowledge in favor of direct realization through
meditation and dharma practice.
MAKIMONO
a Japanese hand scroll, an ink-and-brush painting or
calligraphy which is supposed to be held in the hand
and unrolls horizontally
Subjects: lives of various saints and monks, scenes
from monasteries and temples, and episodes from
military history
NIGHT ATTACK OF THE SANJO PALACE

By Minamoto
ASHIKAGA/MUROMACHI PERIOD
1336-1573
Three fundamental concepts to the understanding of
Japanese art from Ashikaga:
WABI: honest integrity; poverty without poverishment
SABI: timeworn; mellowed by preference for the old
rather than the new
SHIBUI: bitter but refreshing
MONOCHROME INK PAINTING
Sesshū Tōyō ( 雪舟 等楊 ?) was the most prominent
Japanese master of ink and wash paintingfrom the
middle Muromachi period.
Worked in three styles: formal, informal and Haboku
[splashed ink]
Winter Landscape
Landscape
KANO MOTONOBU
Waterfall, Crane, Pine
JISHO-JI
Yoshimitsu’s villa turned into a Zen temple after his
death.
GOLDEN PAVILION
SILVER PAVILION