Japanese Art After 1333

Question 1

Nagasawa Rosetsu Bull and Puppy

Answer 1

Late 18th century
The tiny puppy, white against the dark gray of the bull, helps to emphasize the bull’s huge size through its contrasting smallness
The puppy’s relaxed and informal pose, looking happily straight out at the viewer, gives this powerful painting a humorous touch
In the hands of a master such as Rosetsu, simple and common subject matter became simultaneously delightful and monumental

Question 2

Katsushika Hokusai, The Great Wave

Answer 2

C. 1831
The most famous of the scenes from the Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji
The great wave rears up like a dragon with claws of foam, ready to crash down on the figures huddled in the boats below
1. Artist, 2. Harbour, 3. the printer
You would want to moisten the paper with this print, had to use only one colour at a time, colors used from dark to light used by transfer of a drybrush, as well as a matrix (a temple of wood, metal, or glass)