ART 271 - Asian Art History - Quiz 4
Oda Nobunaga
"Little bird if you do not sing, I will kill you." Came from low-ranking samurai class. He tried to take down the shogun, and it took him 5 years to do so and take control. He was a brute, violent force like Li Zicheng. The emperor refused to name him shogun, for he was seem as low class with a bad attitude and methods, as well as an uncultured, uneducated brute. He ruled for 14 years before he was assassinated by one of his own generals.
Momoyama arts - 2 phases
1) Bigger is better. Bold painting. Use of gold. Showing off wealth and power. 2) "Return to the past" techniques and themes. Still in large-scale formats though. Particularly byobu (folding screens) and fusuma (sliding door panels).
Shubun (Muromachi)
A follower of Josetsu, and taught by him. Shubun is considered one of the greatest masters of the Muromachi period. Was a priest, as well as a painter for a shogun. He was the primary painter of screens and large hanging scrolls. He traveled to Korea eventually, as artists often did so or to China for mountains, landscape, and scenery painting. Shubun's painting reveals his expertise of Chinese painting.
Tokugawa Ieyasu
A friend of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who vowed to watch over Hideyoshi's 5 year old heir. When Hideyoshi died, he turned his back on his word. He approached the castle, offered mercy if they surrendered, but slaughtered everyone within even after they did indeed surrender. Ieyasu came from more high backgrounds, and was the most patient when pursuing this ruling position. He was formally accepted as shogun by the emperor.
Kano school
A group of painters that came from low class samurai. The school served the shogun and were leaders of Chinese painting style.
Yoshiwara development and rules
A place sanctioned in the red light district where prostitution was legal. Established 1617 with land granted with 5 rules: 1) No establishment shall be permitted to operate outside of licensed quarter. 2) No bordello client shall be permitted to stay longer than a day and night. 3) Courtesans shall not wear luxurious clothing with gold/silver, and shall wear simple blue cotton clothes. 4) Buildings in the pleasure center shall not be sumptuous, and shall conform to Edo architectural style. 5) Anyone of unknown origin or strange behavior found wandering within the quarter shall give their address regardless of class.
Sen no Rikyu
A tea master who had the greatest influence over the development of the ceremony. He served Hideyoshi, so that the daimyo could appeal to the emperor by showing his cultural sophistication and right to rule. Forced to commit ritual suicide since he refused to give his daughter to Hideyoshi in marriage.
Asage
A term that refers to the Badhashanren technique to use minimal brush strokes in a painting.
Onin War
A time of great disruption - civil war. Raged for nearly 100 years. Daimyo were feudal lords who served as advisors to the shogun. Observed provinces in the name of the shogun.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Also a low-ranking samurai. He tried to pick up where Oda Nobunaga left off, but approached the emperor in a different way. He invited the emperor to Noh theatre plays, which the emperor loved. The emperor also loved tea ceremonies. Toyotomi hosted the largest tea ceremony with everyone invited. He did all of this in order to be recognied for his cultural knowledge. He was still refused the name of shogun, but was allowed to rule as daimyo.
Hasegawa Tohaku
An independent painter part of no school. He had had to compete with the Kano school. He was adopted by the Tohaku family, a cloth-dyeing business, after the death of his parents. He went to Kyoto with a letter of introduction to a Buddhist temple. He came to know a great tea master, Sen no Rikyu, who made it possible for Tohaku to have access to the Daitokuji temple to view and study the works within. His paintings show influence from Zen painting, but also the Kano school, in his use of brilliant colors and decorative style. His real name is Nobuharu, but he change dit after he became an independent artist. He borrow the "to" from Sesshu Toyo, proclaiming descent from the great ink painter. The claim was challenged in court by Unkokutagan, who was a rightful heir.
Mokuan Reien (Kamakura)
An ordained priest at a zen temple. He journeyed to China for zen origins. He studied painting there, and decided to stay in China until his death. All of his works were traveled to Japan by way of monks. He has a significant reputation as an artist often compared to Song Dynasty painters.
Hashikawa Moronobu
Earliest Ukiyo-e print artist. Born into a family of fabric decorators. Began career working under drawings on cloth. He left his hometown eventually and went to Edo to launch a career in printed book illustrations. Eventually produced single prints as art pieces.
Tokugawa/Edo period - 1615-1868
Tokugawa Ieyasu moved the capitol to Edo, modern day Tokyo. A new chonin class began to influence artistic production, focused on the here and now and caring little for themes of the past. Well educated and interested in quality entertaiment (sake, women, and theater).
"Winter Landscape" (Muromachi)
Sesshu Hanging scroll Ink on paper Muromachi 15th century Another koan painting. The top of the painting makes it difficult to determine what we are looking at and from what kind of perspective. Heavy, dark outlines.
Sotatsu (Momoyama)
Associated with the revival of yamato-e (Japanese style) themes, a return to the past. Originally owned a fan shop. Fans were important and popular at the time. Went on to create large scale works. Came to know another artist, Koetsu, who was so popular with shogun Ieyasu that he was granted a piece of land that he turned into an artistic community. Koetsu came from a family that polished and appraised swords for the military class. Sotatsu and Koetsu collaborated on works to retell stories like the Tale of Genji and the 36 Immortal Poets.
"Crane Scroll" (Momoyama)
Crane Scroll Sotatsu and Koetsu Handscroll Silver and Gold ink on paper Momoyama 1573-1615 CE
Josetsu (Muromachi)
Credited with establishing the Muromachi school of ink painting. Active in 1400's, living in a temple. Only one of his paintings survives to this day, "Catching a Catfish with a Gourd."
Kano Eitoku
Developed a style that appealed to daimyo. He was commissioned to work with his father on a subtemple in the Daitokuji called Jukoin. Work was done on three walls w/ three different themes of the four seasons. It incorporated gold dust and powder. The corner of the room was used to demonstrate depth. It was based off Song Dynasty painter Mu Qi, a painting in the Daitokuji collection.
"Dry Landscape Garden" (Daitokuji)
Dry Landscape Garden Daitokuji, Kyoto Muromachi 16th century A sub temple of the Daitokuji. It holds the largest collection of paintings stored at the Daitokuji. The dry landscape extends along 4 sides of a room used for formal gatherings. The garden and decorative rocks resembled a waterfall with fish swimming upstream.
"Dry Landscape Garden" (Ryoanji)
Dry Landscape Garden Ryoanji, Kyoto Muromachi 15th century CE Used as an aid to meditation in Zen Buddhism. Rocks and moss invite interpretation. Inscriptions on the rocks: "kawaramono," or river bed people. They lived along river beds, doing the city's most demeaning tasks. Known for their placement of the decorative stones in these gardens.
Tea Ceremony - Chanoyu
Formalized in 15th century. Originally, tea was brought over from China by zen Buddhists. Tea rooms were designed for such ceremonies. 1) Designed with shelves interconnected at different heights. 2) Designed with a shallow alcove with a ledge for displaying artwork. 3) Designed with sliding windows that led into the room. Matcha tea typically served, ground from Matcha leaves. People were on their knees during their whole time in the tea room. TO sit patiently while the tea master prepares the tea. Then people take turns drinking. Sipping/slurping considered a compliment.
"Golden Pavilion"
Golden Pavilion Wood and gold leaf Muromachi 14th century CE Ashikaga shoguns were avid collectors of Chinese and Japanese ink painting. Two shoguns built these retreats to store their collections of paintings. Originally constructed for retirement, where a shogun could pursue relaxation. Original Golden Pavilion was burned by a man who thought Buddhism was growing too strong. It was rebuilt. 1st floor: Shinden mansion style from Heian Period. 2nd floor: L-shaped samurai style for moon viewing parties. Used for martial arts practice. 3rd floor: Desgined to be a temple room to be provided with status of amidad 25 bodhisattvas. Tells us the room functions as pure land Buddhism.
"Haboku" (Muromachi)
Haboku Sesshu Hanging scroll Ink on paper Muromachi 15th century "Broken ink." It refers to the free and rapidly executed style in which ink is splashed on the surface of the painting. It was executed by Sesshu as a farewell gift for his pupil Soen, a monk painter. Inscriptions held words of praise for the painting.
"Himeji Castle" (Momoyama)
Himeji Castle Momoyama 1573-1615 CE During the Momoyama period, artistic interpretations came as architecture. Bigger meant better. When one daimyo beats another, he takes their castle and builds more onto it to flaunt his victory. Castles were where the daimyo lived. Himeji castle first owned by Toyotomi, then take by Ieyasu, and given to his son in law. The complex consists of a maze-like plan, in order for people to have time to spot intruders. The tenshu is the area where the daimyo lived, the main keep and the most reinforced area.
"Catching a Catfish with a Gourd" (Muromachi)
Josetsu Ink and color on paper Muromachi 15th century Inscribed with 31 poems of praise by zen priests. Originally painted as a screen for a shogun. The painting is a depiction of a koan, an irrational, thought-provoking problem. The gourd is too small to catch the catfish. Therefore, to catch the catfish, you must become the catfish.
Sesshu (Muromachi)
Learned from Shubun. He moved to Yamaguchi and established his own studio called "Unkokuan." He never associated with a particular temple, because he hoped to travel to China one day. Eventually, due to knowing a wealthy family, Sesshu was able to travel to China by way of a trading vessel. He landed in a port and traveled to Beijing just after it was rebuilt. He visited Buddhist temples and scenic spots, and studied Ming Dynasty paintings of landscapes. Known for love of dark, bold outlines. Loves "explosive" ma dots. Dots explode off subject. Sesshu liked to provide a path to follow, and demonstrated spacial cohesion. Ni Zan's empty pavillion also incorporated. Light washes for distant mountains.
"Maple Tree" (Momoyama)
Maple Tree Hasegawa Tohaku Fusuma Color and gold leaf on paper Momoyama 1573-1615 CE Commissioned by a daimyo for a mortuary complex. Eventually this complex was burned down, but the sliding door with this painting was recovered, having survived the burning. Fusuma = Sliding panel door." Use of gold leaf. Compared to Seven Junipers: Both zoom in on subject. This is more colorful. Wen Zhengmeng didn't sell paintings for profit, being part of the Wu school: painting on the side. Show of wealth in Maple Tree. Easy to look into brush strokes in Seven Junipers.
"Matsushima" (Momoyama)
Matsushima Sotatsu Byobu Ink, color, and gold leaf on paper Momoyama 1573-1615 CE Blues and greens hark back to Chinese works. Represents Tales of Ise. Ambiguous perspectives, very abstract viewpoints. Presumably looking between Ise and Owasi provinces.
"Four Sleepers" (Kamakura)
Mokuan Reien Hanging scroll Ink on paper Kamakura 14th century Based off of the Chinese legend, and a favorite zen theme. Hashan, Shide, and Fenggan with his pet tiger. Fenggan was said to have this pet due to him being so in tune with nature. Shide is the younger man. Use of Asage technique.
"Myokian Tea Room"
Myokian Tea Room Sen no Rikyu Momoyama 1573-1615
"Pine Forest" (Momoyama)
Pine Forest Hasegawa Tohaku Byobu Ink on paper Momoyama 1573-1615 CE Two folding screens. Hasegawa's own style; minimalistic, much white space. Captured the essence of fog and zen painting. Haboku "broken ink" inspiration. Sense of space/depth, reminiscent of Sesshu, as evident of trees more toward the foreground being darker and clearer.
"Raku ware"
Raku Ware Tea Bowl Hon'ami Koetsu Earthenware Momoyama 1573-1615 CE Name given by Hideyoshi, meaning "pleasure." Bowl coated in glaze, fired in kiln, removed while still warm/hot, and then exposed to either open air, cold water, or a pile of hay to give the bowl a peculiar, imperfect look.
Wabi-Sabi
Rikyu pursued the development of the ceremony through this idea. Wabi is an aesthetic concept originally associated with Buddhism. Under Rikyu, Wabi-Sabi meant the ability to see the beauty in imperfections. This was demonstrated through the tea ceremony by using simple utensils like the ladle made out of bamboo.
"Landscape" (Muromachi)
Sesshu Hanging scroll Ink and color on paper Muromachi 16th century It demonstrates space by layering one tree in the foreground with faded trees behind it in the background. There is a path to follow, much like Dai Jin's "Returning Home at Evening." Dark outlines. Explosive Ma Dots. Faded mountains in background. Spacial cohesion. Ni Zan's empty pavilion.
"Bodhidharma" (Muromachi)
Sesshu Hanging scroll Ink on paper Muromachi 15th century Heavy, dark outlines. Explosive ma dots.
"Reading in the Bamboo Studio" (Muromachi)
Shubun Hanging scroll Ink on paper Muromachi 15th century Very faded subjects with nature more prominent. This is based on meditation of Buddhism, as compared to Kuncan's "Origin of the Immortals." Also may refer back to Badashanren and Wu Zhen's themes of favoring nature.
Inside Yoshiwara
Surrounded by walls, along with a river and moat. 117 brothels on the five streets of Yoshiwara. 987 courtesans with 75 top ranking. Top running "Tayu" was chosen based on her beauty, intelligence, cultural refinement, and earning power. When a client arrived, he needed to go to a house of assignation if he wanted to meet with the Tayu. A customer could ask for a specific courtesan by writing to where she lives. While waiting for a reply, he is forced to spend money on food, and other items. When the courtesan arrived, she did so with her entourage. The Tayu, if she chose to reject the client, did it privately. She typically rejects him twice but accepts the third time in order to earn more money.
"Appearance of Yoshiwara."
The Appearance of Yoshiwara Hishikawa Moronobu Hand-colored woodblock print Edo Early 17th century Allowed people who hadn't visited Yoshiwara an inside look. Color done by hand. Takes blown-off-roof theme. All faces the same.
Ukiyo
The floating, ever changing world. Became a slang word used by the chonin, used as a prefix of sorts. Though it had origins in Buddhism, it came to mean "modern," "fashionable," and "up to date" for the chonin.
Machishu people (Momoyama)
The merchant class who drove the arts along with nobility.
Courtesans
The prostitutes of Yoshiwara.
Ukiyo-e
Woodblock prints. "Pictures of the floating world." Easy to obtain. Clients in the Edo period wanted artwork right away rather than commission a piece and wait a year. Earliest called Sumizuri-e. Made by transferring image carved into a wood block onto a piece of paper. The paper if pressed on the block and then rubbed with a pad to leave an ink and imprint on the paper.
