Japan Art History: Kamakura Period
The Kamakura Period
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was the time when feudalism was established in Japan. Also, it was the age of the increasing popularity of Buddhism. Because of the military governance in the country the realism, boldness, and action were in value, even in the art. For describing the main features of the art development during this period the next works will be reviewed: “Gate Guardians” by Unkei and Kaikei, “Monk Kuya” by Kosho, and “Scrolls of the itinerant monk Ippen” by Shokai.
Due to the Buddhism popularization, the rebuilding of the temples started. The two sculptors Unkei and Kaikei that worked on the reconstruction of Todaiji made the wooden sculptures called “Gate Guardians.” The style of this work was realism, and despite the incorrect musculature of the Guardians, great attention to detail was paid. The two statues were standing opposite each other and it seemed that they were in a movement. The second work “Monk Kuya” by Unkei’s son Kosho was also wooden. It was a multicolored statue with inlaid crystal eyes. The work consisted of several wooden blocks also was made in a realistic style. The details were so highly described that even veins could be seen. The third work of the Kamakura period was “Scrolls of the itinerant monk Ippen” by Shokai. It included 12 silk scrolls. This work was a piece of landscape painting art. These scrolls showed the travel of the monk Ippen around Japan. Among the themes that were described in this work, there were the following: bibliography, conversion, poems, and miracles. The main idea of these narrative scrolls was that traveling was the spiritual path search.
As it can be seen the main direction of the art in the Kamakura period was realism. All of the sculptors that worked during that time were realists. Because of the popularization of Buddhism, the art was connected to the religion and a big amount of works were dedicated to it.
Muromachi Period
The Muromachi period (1336-1573) was the time of Ashikaga shogunate governance. This period was known for the beginning of the active trade with China, the great interest in Chinese culture, and the foundation of the merchant class in Japan. As for the art, it was also connected to religion, but the new one, Zen Buddhism appeared in the Muromachi period. Moreover, the new style of painting was found in Japan. It was a Zen painting. The main artists were the monk painters who showed through their works the way to enlightenment, using monochrome painting techniques. The popular themes were: Buddhist deities, portraits of a master, poetry, and landscape. Among the artworks that will be observed, there will be the following: “Kanzan” by Kao, “Four Sleepers” by Mokuan, and “Portrait of Master Enni” by Mincho.
The work “Kanzan” by Kao was a hanging scroll painted using ink and paper. Hanging scrolls gained popularity during the Muromachi period. In this painting was described a poet Kanzan who lived in the mountains of China. It was the monochrome painting that was usual during the Muromachi period. “Four Sleepers” by Mokuan also was the hanging scroll. But unlike the work of Kao, this one combined painting and poetry, a new art direction appeared. There were drawn poets, monk Bukan, and a tiger and was written a poem. “Portrait of Master Enni” by Mincho was the painting that represented one of the popular themes in the art for Zen Buddhists. It was the portrait of a master.
As it can be seen, the Zen painting was the main direction of the art during the Muromachi period. The works of the Muromachi period were dedicated to the religion, Zen Buddhism. And the artists of that time were Zen Buddhist monks. They used monochrome painting and sometimes combined painting and poems in their works.
Momoyama Period
The Momoyama period (1573-1615) was the period when the three military leaders existed at the same time. That was the time of the attempts at unification and armed conflicts. As for Japanese art, that period was noble for its castle architecture, tea ceremony, part of the military culture, and decorative painting. Among the works that will be observed there will be the following: “Birds and Flowers of 4 Seasons (1566)” by Kano Eitoku, “Maple Tree” by Hasegawa Tohaku, and Oribe ware ceramic.
The Kano Eitoku work “Birds and Flowers of 4 Seasons” was a representative of the trends of the Momoyama period. This piece of art was a decorative painting that was widely used in the castles’ and the temples’ decoration. It was drawn for the Daitokuji temple complex. The second work, “Maple Tree” by Hasegawa Tohaku, was made for the mortuary temple of Hideyoshi’s son. It was also a decorative painting, like mostly the works of that period. Talking about the tea ceremony, the objects for it were chosen very carefully. And because of it appeared different types of ceramics for such ceremonies. One of those was Oribe ware which was produced in Mino. It could be identified due to the use of the green glaze and specific painting design.
As it can be seen the Momoyama period may be characterized by a close connection of the art to military culture. Decorative painting for decorating the castles and mortuary temples, tea ceremonies using the different types of ceramics, all of these appeared due to the military tendency of that time.
Edo Period
The Edo period (1603-1868) was the period of the Tokugawa shogunate rule. It was a time of economic growth and social order. Also, it was the period of the arts and culture popularity. The Edo period was characterized by the new trends in visual arts and sharing of Western and Chinese experiences. During this period appeared the Western style of the painting and also was popular the Chinese naturalistic style. Among the works that will be discussed there will be the following: “Pine, Plum and Cranes (1731-1733) by Shen Quan (1682-1765), “Hollander on a Pier (1780’s)” by Shiba Kokan (1747-1818), and “Dragons and Clouds (1773)” by Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795).
Shen Quan, who was living in Nagasaki, had direct access to Western sources and Chinese trends. As it can be seen, his work “Pine, Plum and Cranes” was drawn under the influence of Chinese teaching. It was made in a Chinese naturalistic painting style. The work by Shiba Kokan, “Hollander on a Pier” represented the painter’s style and interests. As a representative of Western-style Painting, Shiba Kokan was charmed by European perspective and realism. Interests of the artist found their place in his paintings. “Hollander on a Pier” which was drawn by ink on silk, showed the influence of the western trends on the painter. Shiba Kokan, first of all, tried to represent reality truthfully. But at the same time, through his painting, he wanted to evoke spirit and essence and did not pay a lot of attention to the form. Maruyama Okyo also had an interest in the Chinese style of painting, but he developed his style. Painter combined brushstroke, color, and sketching and succeeded in representing space and volume. All of it could be seen in his work “Dragons and Clouds”. Maruyama Okyo’s works had subjects that were easy to understand and beautiful at the same time.
The Edo period in Japan may be characterized by the significant influence of the trends and teachings from the western countries on Japanese art. Due to it appeared two different styles: Western-style painting and Chinese naturalistic painting. All the works that were made during the Edo period could be recognized as representations of one of these styles.