Transcript Art of Later Japan

Art of Japan
Ch. 8 & 27
* Key Themes:
-Sacred Space
-Scale & Materials
-Power and Authority
-Depiction of Landscape
-Depiction of Women
Partner/Small Group Reading
• In our textbook, read the purple box on pg.
218 in partners or small groups to gain a
general understanding of Pre-Buddhist Beliefs
and rituals in Japan, then --• Read pg. 164 to have a general understanding
of Buddhism
• (approx. 10 minutes total)
• TAKE NOTES!!! Afterward - We will have an
activity where you silently write your findings
on blank sheets around the room
• Mahayana Buddhism—compassion for all living
beings—comes from China during Asuka period
• Esoteric Buddhism—leisured aristocracy—Tantric
Buddhism-Secret Practices, mantras: sacred words,
mandalas: paintings map Buddhist Cosmos/Deities,
mudras: hand signs of Buddha
• Pure Land Buddhism—an all-inclusive form of
Buddhist devotion—rebirth through a heavenly form
(Pure Land), simply by faith in Amida’s promise of
salvation
• Zen Buddhism—enlightenment through meditation—
monasteries—self reliance
Nara Period 710-794
• Buddhism officially introduced in Japan in 552
• Shinto beliefs and practices continue to have
significance, especially in agricultural rituals
and imperial court rites
• Marriage Rituals-Shinto / Blessing new born
child – Shinto Shrine (assoc. w/centrality of
purification)
• Funerals – Buddhist Temple (assoc. w/the
promise of the afterlife)
• Capital in Nara
Great Buddha Hall, Todaiji, Japan
Nara Period – 8th cent.
Patron: Emperor commissioned
to try to unify country & reinforce
imperial power with religious
authority. (Patron)
Heian Period 794-1185
• Capital moved North to Heian (Known today
as Kyoto)
• Esoteric Buddhism (or Tantric BuddhismSecret Practices, mantras: sacred words,
mandalas: paintings map Buddhist
Cosmos/Dieties, mudras: hand signs of
Buddha)
• Pure Land Buddhism: afterlife salvation
(Amitabha: Amida in Japanese, Buddha of the
West)
• Celestial architecture, HEIAN ART IS PLACID
Mudras
1. dhyana (meditation)
2. dharmachakra (wheel of law, teaching)
-Depictions of the first sermon show the Buddha
teaching, his hands held together in front of his
body to indicate the turning of the Wheel of the Law
(look at fig. 6-15 in our text book)
3. abhaya (do not fear)
4. LOOK UP AND QUICKLY SKETCH THE ONES
LISTED ABOVE…SKETCH OTHERS YOU SEE IN
THE IMAGES…CREATE A TABLE TO GUIDE
YOU. (5 MINUTES)
• Phoenix Hall, Fujiwara Yorimichi, 1053
• *Celestial architecture:
– incorporation of water/ floating sensation, “wings”, symmetrical,
reference to Buddha’s palace in Pure Land (afterlife)
• **Phoenix a symbol of imperial might
Amida Buddha, Phoenix Hall, Heian Period, WOOD
• On your phones/computers, research what celestial means, why
is this structure celestial???? Be able to describe the what make’s
it celestial in detail.
• Turn to your shoulder partner/discuss your findings (approx. 1
minute each = 2-3 min. Total)
• TAKE NOTES…WE WILL POPCORN FACTS AFTER PARTNER
DISCUSSION