Asian Art

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Asian Art

• Japanese Screens and Scrolls

Many artists, such as Impressionist painters
Cassatt and Monet, were heavily influenced by
Asian Art. Vincent Van Gogh once said
Seated Buddha, Tang dynasty Credits
Bamboo and Rocks, Yuan dynasty Credits
If we study Japanese Art, we see a man who is
undoubtedly wise, philosophic and intelligent,
who spends his time doing what? In studying the
distance between the earth and moon? No. In
studying Bismarcks policy? No. He studies a
single blade of grass."
Self-portrait Van Gogh Credits
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geography
Japan- a nation of islands that were able to
avoid invasion and develop a homogeneous culture.
The terrain of Japan affected the kinds of
landscapes that were produced.
Nearby countries, such as China, affected Japan.
Map of Japan Credits
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Religion
How did religion affect Japanese Art?
Mood or feeling
Subject Matter- illustrating the teachings of
their beliefs
Would you like to hear of example of a tale that
would have been told to to help pass on Buddhas
teachings? Click here.
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The Lion and the tiger
This story is from the book One Hand Clapping
and its entitled The Lion and the Tiger. A
zoo once had a famous tiger. One day the tiger
died. Since it was very expensive to replace the
tiger, the zoo hired a beggar to dress up in a
tiger skin during zoo hours, sit in the cage and
pretend to be the tiger. This actually worked
quite well. The people believed the famous tiger
was still there, and the beggar had a home. One
day two men began arguing in front of the tiger
cage. The tiger is the strongest of animal,
said one of the men. Its roar is the mightiest.
Its the most ferocious of beasts, and this one
is a terrific specimen. Nonsense, replied the
other man. He pointed to the lion in the next
cage. Everyone knows that the lion is the king
of the beasts. When he roars, everyone trembles!
And just look at this one hear- hes
magnificent! The men continued to quarrel until
finally they persuaded the zookeeper to let the
two animals fight each other to se which was
actually the mightiest. They promised to pay the
zookeeper if either animal was killed. Hearing
this, the tiger was terrified, but before he
could do anything, the cage door opened and in
bounded the lion. A crowd gathered as the
roaring lion furiously chased the tiger all
around the cage, finally pouncing on him. The
tiger trembled with fear. This is the end,
thought the poor tiger. I am about to be eaten
by a lion. But then the lion whispered softly in
his ear, Not to worry. Im the same as you!
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Religion
What religions can you think of that might have
been prevalent in Asia?
Buddhism
Hinduism
Jainism
Taoism
Sikhism
Shinto
Confucianism
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Buddhism
This sculpture depicts Buddha- Enlightened One
which means perfect human.
Buddhism- founded in India by Sidhartha Gautuma.
Zen Buddhism- from China- the art of meditation.
Seated Buddha, Tang Dynasty Credits
Would you like to hear a story about a young man
trying to attain Enlightenment? Click
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Becoming Buddha
This story is from the book One Hand Clapping
and its entitled Becoming Buddha. Ma-tsu say
in meditation for long periods every day outside
his little hut. His Zen master, Haui-jang,
watched him one day and thought, He will become
a very worthy person. Still, right now he is
stuck and needs some help. Noble one, he
asked, what are you trying to get by sitting in
meditation? I am trying to become a Buddha,
Ma-tsu replied with conviction. Hearing this,
Haui-jang picked up a rough clay tile that had
fallen from the temple roof and began rubbing it
against a rock. What are you doing, Master?
asked Ma-tsu. I am polishing this rough tile to
make it a precious jewel, the master
replied. How can a roof tile ever become a
jewel? asked Ma-tsu. How can you become a
Buddha through Zen meditation, Haui-jamg
replied, if you werent already a Buddha to
begin with? Walking standing, lying down,
sitting- who are you in each of these activities?
Real Zen is not confined to sitting. Live
Buddhas are not just found in the lotus
posture. Hearing this, Ma-tsu felt as refreshed
as if he had just drunk the most delicious drink.
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Bodhisattva Boe- dee-saht-vuh
What is a Bodhisattva?
A Bodhisattva is someone who has stopped one step
short of becoming a Buddha to help other attain
enlightenment. Guanyin (gwan yin) is the Chinese
name of this bodhisattva.
Would you like to hear another tale by the Zen
masters? Its called Baby Snake in a Cup. Click
here.
Head of Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Mercy Credits
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Baby Snake in a Cup
This story if from the book One Hand Clapping and
its entitled Baby Snake in a Cup. One evening,
a man was invited to the home of a friend. As he
was about to drink a cup of tea that was offered
to him, he thought he saw a baby snake in the
cup! He did not want to embarrass his hostess, so
he gathered all of his courage and swallowed the
tea in one gulp. When the man returned home
later that night, began to feel severe pains in
his stomach. By the next day the pains had grown
worse. He consulted several doctors and tried
many cures, but none worked. The man, now
seriously ill, thought he was about to
die. Hearing of his condition, his friend invited
him to visit her again. Sitting in the same
place, he accepted another cup of tea. As the
sick man lifted his cup to drink, he suddenly saw
the snake again! This time he had to speak up, so
he drew his hostesss attention to it. Without a
word she pointed to the ceiling above her guest.
He looked up. There, just above him, hanging
from a beam, was a length of rope. The sick man
realized all at once that what he had thought was
a baby snake was simply the reflection of the
rope! The two friends looked at each other and
laughed. The pain of the sick man vanished
instantly and he recovered perfect health.
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Composition
Lets take a closer look at the composition in
the battle scene in this screen painting
The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period Credits
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Composition
How would you describe the space in this
painting?
Detail of The Battles of Hogen and Heiji Credits
Detail of The Battles of Hogen and Heiji Credits
Detail of The Battles of Hogen and Heiji Credits
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Media
What media (materials) did the artists use to
create this screen painting?
Ink- permanent. Theres no correcting or
repainting it.
Ink wash creates an atmospheric perspective in
the background.
Bamboo and Rocks, Yuan dynasty Credits
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What is Monochrome?
The Old Plum, Edo period Credits
Chinese style Monochrome ink paintings were a
popular style in Japanese screen Paintings.
Monochrome- or monochromatic is a color scheme
that uses tints and shades of one color.
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Hanging Scrolls And Hand Scrolls
Illustrated Legends of the Kitano Shrine (Kitano
Tenjin Engi), Kamakura period Credits
Hand scrolls or Emakimono (E mock e mo no) were
introduced from China in the 8th Century. Within
a century, Japanese painters were producing the
most exquisite hand scrolls on the continent.
Hanging scrolls were used in the Japanese tea
ceremony (as well discuss later). Scrolls were
usually silk or paper.
This scroll contained illustrated legends of Zen
for a religious shrine. Would you like to hear a
tale from Buddhas teaching about 4 men who learn
an important lesson while practicing Zen? Click
here.
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Learning to BE Silent
This story is from the book One Hand Clapping and
its entitled Learning to be Silent. There
once were four young men who practiced Zen
together. One day, they decided to spend seven
days of zazen meditation in complete silence.
Everything started off well. But when evening
came at the end of the first day, the oil lamps
became dimmer and dimmer. One of them couldnt
help saying, we should fix those
lamps. Another, surprised to hear the first one
speak, said Shhhhhhh. Were not supposed to say
a word! You two really goofed. Why did you
talk? asked a third. Well, it looks like Im
the only one who hasnt broken down and said
anything, announced the fourth. They looked at
one another and began to laugh. All had been
equally foolish! They decided theyd have to try
again. But this time they would remain really
alert.
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Folding Screens
Other than decoration- what purpose did folding
screens serve?
Landscapes in the Style of An Kyon, Choson
dynasty Credits
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Woodblock Prints
Woodblock print- very popular in Asia during this
time. This famous landscape print by Katsushika
Hokusai (1760-1849) was one of 36 views of Mount
Fuji.
The Great Wave at Kanagawa Hokusai Credits
Describe what you see in this picture- look
closely.
Who do you think Hokusai believed was in control-
man or nature?
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The Way of Tea
The tea ceremony was to be enjoyed in a small
room with selected tea scroll paintings.
Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage.
Teaism- purity and harmony, the mystery of
mutual charity, the romanticism of the social
order.
Ewer for use in tea ceremony, Momoyama period
Credits
Worship of the imperfect
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Selected Bibliography
Martin, R. (1995). One hand clapping Zen
stories for all ages. Rizzoli International
Publications, Inc New York.
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Image Credits
Seated Buddha, Tang dynasty (618?07), ca. 650
China. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Available at http//www.metmuseum.org/ Bamboo
and Rocks, Yuan dynasty (1279?368), 1318. The
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Available at
http//www.metmuseum.org/ Van Gogh Self Portrait
(1990s) Courtesy of Jim Grattan JIM'S FINE
ART COLLECTION. Available at http//www.spectrum
voice.com/art/index.html Landscapes in the Style
of An Kyon, Choson dynasty (1392?910), 5th
century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Available at http//www.metmuseum.org/ Illustrat
ed Legends of the Kitano Shrine (Kitano Tenjin
Engi), Kamakura period (1185?333), 13th century.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Available at
http//www.metmuseum.org/ The Old Plum, Edo
period (1615?868), ca. 1645 Attributed to Kano
Sansetsu (Japanese, 1658?716) Japan purchase,
Louisa Eldridge McBurney Gift, 1953 (53.7.1-2)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Available at
http//www.metmuseum.org/ The Battles of Hogen
and Heiji, Edo period (1615?868), 17th century
Japan Rogers Fund, 1957 (57.156.4-5). The
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Available at
http//www.metmuseum.org/ Eight-Planked Bridge
(Yatsuhashi), Edo period (1615?868), 18th century
Ogata Korin (Japanese, 1658?716) Japan Purchase,
Louisa Eldridge McBurney Gift, 1953 (53.7.1-2) .
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Available at
http//www.metmuseum.org/ The Great Wave at
Kanagawa (from a Series of Thirty-six Views of
Mount Fuji), Edo period (1615?868), ca. 1831?3
Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760?849) Japan
Polychrome Ink and color on paper 10 1/8 x 14
15/16 in. (25.7 x 37.9 cm) (Oban H. O. Havemeyer
Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
(JP1847). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Available at http//www.metmuseum.org/ Ewer
for use in tea ceremony, Momoyama period
(1568?615), early 17th century Japan Stoneware
with overglaze enamels (Shino-Oribe ware) H. 7
3/4 in. (19.7 cm) Purchase, Friends of Asian Art
Gifts, 1988 (1988.156ab) . The Metropolitan
Museum of Art. Available at http//www.metmuseum.
org/ Seated Buddha, Tang dynasty (618?07), ca.
650 China. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Available at http//www.metmuseum.org/ Dry
lacquer with traces of gilt and polychrome
pigments 38 x 27 in. (96.5 x 68.6 cm) Rogers
Fund, 1919 (19.186). The Metropolitan Museum of
Art. Available at http//www.metmuseum.org/ Head
of Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Mercy. Gilded and
painted cast iron, 13th century Ackland Fund
Northern Chinese Jin Dynasty (115-1234).