Post on 26-Dec-2015
Medieval Period in Japan
Geography Islands covered with
rugged mountains Avoid invasion Develop a
homogeneous culture
Only 17% of land usable for farming
Life in Early Japan
Largely a farming society – rice Traded with Korea & China Women had a level of equality with men
Inheritance rights for women Abandoned wives could divorce & remarry
Dynastic Rule Emperors were considered the descendent of
the sun goddess. Japanese history claims only one dynasty.
660 BCE to 1945 CE (Over 2,500 years) In reality, many ruling families came and
went.
Feudalism in Japan Feudalism: a political and
military system in which individuals receive land and protection in return for loyalty, military assistance, and other services.
Samurai “Those who serve” Bushido – “Way of warrior”
Stressed bravery, loyalty, and honor Had to experience great physical pain and hardship
without complaining Could not fear death
Seppuku – “Belly slicing” – a form of ceremonial suicide Ronin – Samurai without a master Ninja – Professional spies
Miyamoto Musashi
Ronin Undefeated dueler Independent teacher Wrote Book of Five
Rings in 1643
Book of Five Rings Written in Japanese Devoted to the art of war Criticized empty
showmanship and commercialization in martial arts
Aggressive and ruthless approach to military science
Shogunate
Minamoto no Yoritomo Created a centralized
government called a shogunate Shogunate: centralized
government under a shogun (military ruler) not an emperor
Japan and China
1281 Kublai Khan (Yuan Dynasty in China) invaded with superior forces
Samurai meet them at the beach Kamikaze – “Divine Wind”
Sources of Traditional Japanese Culture Literature
Haiku (5, 7, 5)Tea was very goodmy cup holds emptiness nowwhere shall I put it?
Nō drama Art
Nature themes dominated Emotional response
Van Gogh on Japanese Art
“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 Bismarck’s policy? No. He studies a single blade of grass."
The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period (1615–1868), 17th centuryPair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper; Each 60 15/16 in. x 11 ft. 8 in. (154.8 x 355.6 cm)
The Battles of Hogen and Heiji, Edo period (1615–1868), 17th centuryPair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper; Each 60 15/16 in. x 11 ft. 8 in. (154.8 x 355.6 cm)
Details of The Battles of Hogen and Heiji
Ink on silk Ink is permanent.
There’s no correcting or repainting it.
Ink wash creates an atmospheric perspective in the background.
MonochromeMonochrome –a color scheme that uses tints and shades of one color.
The Old Plum, Edo period (1615–1868), ca. 1645Attributed to Kano Sansetsu (Japanese, ca. 1589–1651)Four sliding door panels (fusuma); ink, color, gold leaf on paper; H. 68 3/4 in. (174.6 cm)
In Search of the Pure Land: Religion in Early Japan Shinto
Animistic State doctrine linked to divinity belief about
emperor and the sacredness of Japan Buddhism, 6th century BCE
Jodo, Pure land Zen
Shinto
Ancient Japanese religion: “the way of the gods.”
Only worshipped in Japan. Has no books or priests Ancestors are seen as important. Includes gods called Kami, meaning
superior. Kami promote fertility in crops and
people
Zen Buddhism
Zen A different way to achieve
enlightenment Achieved through strong self-
discipline, especially meditation Koan riddles Zen beliefs became part of
samurai warrior’s code