Chapter 11: Japanese Art before 1392
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Chapter 11

Japanese Art Before 1392

  A. PREHISTORIC JAPAN
    1. Jomon Period
    2. Yayoi and Kofun Periods

  B. ASUKA PERIOD

  C. NARA PERIOD

  D. HEIAN PERIOD
    1. Esoteric Buddhist Art
    2. Pure Land Buddhist Art
    3. Poetry and Calligraphy
    4. Secular Painting

  E. KAMAKURA PERIOD
    1. Pure Land Buddhist Art
    2. Zen Buddhist Art


Japanese Art Before 1392

  A. PREHISTORIC JAPAN   top

"Jomon ceramics," shows a deep bowl Fukabachi from the Art of Japan; click on "next" to continue viewing Jomon ceramics

    1. Jomon Period   top

Fig. 11-3
Dogu from Kurokoma, Yamanashi Prefecture. Jomon period, c. 2000 BCE. Low-fired earthenware, height 10" (25.2 cm). Tokyo National Museum

    2. Yayoi and Kofun Periods   top

Fig. 11-4
Haniwa, from Kyoto. Kofun period, 6th century CE. Earthenware, height 27" (68.5 cm). Tokyo National Museum

Fig. 11-5
Inner shrine at Ise, Mie Prefecture. Yayoi period, early 1st century CE; last rebuilt 1993

  B. ASUKA PERIOD   top

"Asuka Period Carved Images"--information and images about the art styles and methods of the Asuka Period

Fig. 11-6
Main compound, Horyu-ji, Nara Prefecture. Asuka period, 7th century CE

Fig. 11-8
Tori Busshi. Shaka Triad, in the kondo, Horyu-ji. Asuka period, c. 623 CE. Gilt bronze, height of seated figure 34 ½ (87.5 cm)

  C. NARA PERIOD   top

Fig. 11-9
Amida Buddha, fresco in the kondo, Horyu-ji. Nara period, c. 700 CE. Ink and colors (now severely damaged), 10'3" x 8'6" (3.13 x 2.6 m)


  D. HEIAN PERIOD   top

    1. Esoteric Buddhist Art   top

Buddhist paintings of the Heian and Kamakura periods, including Womb World mandala

Fig. 11-10
Womb World mandala, To-ji, Kyoto. Heian period, late 9th century CE. Hanging scroll, colors on silk, 6' x 5'1 1/2" (1.83 x 1.54 m)

    2. Pure Land Buddhist Art   top

Fig. 11-11
Byodo-in , Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. Heian period, c. 1053 CE

Fig. 11-12
Jocho. Amida Buddha, Byodo-in. Heian period, c. 1053 CE. Gold leaf and lacquer on wood, height 9'8" (2.95 m)

    3. Poetry And Calligraphy   top

Fig. 11-13
Album leaf from the Ishiyama-gire, Heian period, early 12th century CE. Ink with gold and silver on decorated and collaged paper, 8 x 63/8" (20.3 x 16.1 cm). Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Calligraphy "Masterworks" from the Tokyo Museum; click on each image for more calligraphy images and information

    - Writing, Language And Culture

"Guide to Japan Calligraphy," provides good, basic information about Japanese calligraphy

    4. Secular Painting   top

Re: Fig. 11-14
Scenes from the Tale of Genji, Heian period, 12th century CE. Handscroll, ink and colors on paper, 85/8 x 187/8" (21.9 x 47.9 cm).

Fig. 11-15
Attributed to Toba Sojo. Frolicking Animals. Heian period, 12th century CE. Handscroll, ink on paper, height 12" (30.5 cm). Kozan-ji, Kyoto


  E. KAMAKURA PERIOD   top

Fig. 11-16
Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace. Kamakura period, late 13th century CE. Handscroll, ink and colors on paper, height 16" (41.3 cm). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

    - Arms And Armor

Domaru Armor Laced with Black Leather Thongs

    1. Pure Land Buddhist Art   top
Raigo of Amida (Amitabha) and 25 Attendants is a hanging scroll, colors on silk, from the Kamakura Period, from the Chion-in Temple, Kyoto, and presently in the Kyoto National Museum

    2. Zen Buddhist Art   top


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