Art of Japan Terms V.2 Flashcards
The Priest Ganjin
Chinese priest who introduced the Japanese to correct Buddhist monastic rules and authentic ordination rites
Birushana
The Universal (Cosmic) Buddha
Esoteric (Tantric) Buddhism
Belief that spiritual truth is hidden or “secret” (esoteric) and requires divine aid in order to be understood
Shingon (True Words)
Japanese sect of Esoteric Buddhism
Mantra
Group of mystical syllables recited as part of a spiritual practice
Mandala
Sacred schematic diagram or cosmic map
Vajra and Bell
implements of Esoteric Buddhism
Dainichi Nyorai
the Great Illuminator Buddha, source of all existence, absolute and permanent
Womb World
mandala of individual, physical world
Diamond World
mandala of the universal, absolute, spiritual world
Tendai Lotus School
teachings based on the Lotus Sutra emphasizing the eternal Buddha nature in all beings
Pure Land Buddhism
Buddhist sect that teaches that anyone can achieve salvation by whole-heartedly believing in the Amida Buddha
raigō
image of the Amida Buddha and his entourage descending from the Western Paradise to welcome a new soul into his heaven
Yamato-e
Japanese-style painting
Senjo Kannon
11-headed, thousand-armed Kannon
maki-e
gold or silver powder decoratively sprinkled or sprayed on a damp lacquer surface to create an artistic design
emakimono
handscrolls presenting a narrative in both words and pictures
otoko-e
masculine painting
onna-e
feminine painting
The Tale of Genji
11th century romance novel about Japanese court life
Lady Murasaki
11th century lady-in-waiting to the Empress of Japan who wrote The Tale of Genji
mono-no-aware
the emotionally moving quality of an experience; the pathos of life
myabi
courtly refinement—applied mainly to the quiet pleasures savored by aristocrats with educated tastes
karmic effect
the consequences of one’s actions
sutra
Buddhist scripture
mappo
degenerate era at the end of the Ages of Shaka Buddha
ashide
“hidden writing” in which words are camouflaged as part of a painting
shogun
military dictator
rokudō-e
paintings of the six realms of existence into which humans might be reborn
likeness picture
14th-15th century realistic portraits of warriors and courtiers painted in yamato-e
shaku
thin, wooden ceremonial scepter carried by high officials to show dignity and authority
Kei School
realistic style of sculpture from the Kamakura period
dōshakuga
depictions of Buddhist themes intended to convey spiritual insights or revelations
shigajiku
painting placed at the bottom of a hanging scroll with poems above, all written at the same time, that comment upon the painting
koan
Zen thought problem used as an aid in attaining enlightenment
haboku
splashed ink style painting associated with Zen
kami
Shinto divine spirits and deities
heart pillar
wooden post marking the place where a kami resides
dry landscape garden
Zen garden created from sand and stone
religious syncretism
the fusion of different religions’ beliefs and practices
Japanese tea ceremony
a ritual that turns the act of preparing and drinking tea into an aesthetic experience
wabi/sabi
the beauty of things that are modest, humble, imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete
Sen no Rikyū
one of the first tea masters, famous for developing Raku ware
Raku
low-fired pottery most often used in the tea ceremony
Rinpa School
Edo artistic movement that revived and updated yamato-e in a bold, free, and individualistic style
tarashikomi
painting technique in which colors are blended by applying one over another that is not yet dry
Nanga
late Edo painting style influenced by Chinese literati painting
ukiyō-e
Edo art movement that celebrated everyday life and the interests of the common people
