Japanese Art History Midterm Flashcards
What is the Pillow Book?
A collection of reflections written by Japanese court lady Sei Shonagon—Her writing celebrates aesthetics and everyday life.
Name two important objects/sites from the Nara era.
- The Shosoin Repository
- Vairocana- The largest Buddha Statue made
What is Haboku or the “broken ink” technique?
An abbreviated way of making a landscape painting. Done by splashing/splattering paint onto a paper to create abstract forms and a sense of movement.
What is an Urna? Unisa? Mudra?
Urna: Tuft of hair between the eyebrows
Unisa: protrusion from the head
Mudra: Seals, hand gestures
Name two important objects/sites from the Jomon era.
- Dogu
- Flame pots —-> Jomon Vessels
How is a hand scroll made?
Made by painting a narrative on a long strip of paper/silk which is then attached to wooden rollers at either end.
What is the difference between Kana and Kanji?
Kana: Term used for phonographic script in Japan.
- There are two types of photographic script:
1. Katakama
2. Hiragana
Kanji: Term used for Chinese characters in Japan.
What is the difference between a Buddha and a Bodhisattva?
A Buddha, the “enlightened one, “ reaches Nirvana and leaves this earth.
A Bodhisattva, the “one destined for enlightenment” but vows to never fully activate awakening, remains on earth.
-Typically lean and put their weight on one leg.
What is Zen?
A variant of Buddhism.
Bodhidharma meditation adopted by foreigners—a practice in appreciating simplicity.
Describe the technique of hollow dry lacquer. What type of object is often made with this technique in Japan?
1st a clay model is sculpted.
2nd the model is covered with multiple layers of hemp clothes soaked in lacquer
3rd the clay core is removed once the laters dry, resulting in a hollow, lightweight object.
Buddhist statues are made with this technique.
Define and provide one example of an Emakimono.
An emakimono is a handscroll. Examples of some are: -Hell Scroll
-Scroll of the Hungry Souls
-The Genji Scrolls
- Illness Scrolls
Name two important objects/sites from the Heian era.
- Pair of Shinto Deities
- Jocho (Amida Buddha)
Describe how women dressed at the Heian Court and the socio-cultural significance of their clothes.
Women wore elaborate multi-layered (12 layers) silk robes which signified their social status and were considered the pinnacle of fashion.
What is an eye-opening ceremony?
A ritual that consecrates a new Buddha statue/painting by symbolically painting in its eyes.
Describe the life of the Buddha.
A prince is born into a life of luxury.
After witnessing suffering in the world, he renounced his royal life and all material possessions.
Eventually, he goes on to attain enlightenment through meditation under a Bodhi tree and becomes the Buddha.
He goes on to attain Nirvana after teaching the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold path to achieve Nirvana.
Name two important objects/sites from the Yayoi era.
- Dotaku (Bronze bells)
- Yayoi Pottery
What three architectural styles does the Golden Pavillion (Kinkaku-Ji) incorporate?
- Chinese Buddhist architecture
- Military estate architecture
- Heian Shinden architecture
List 5 characteristics from the “32 Signs of a Great Man”.
- 40 teeth
- Golden complexion
- Deep blue eyes
- Retracted penis
- Webbed hands and feet
- White teeth
- Long fingers
- Long legs
- White tuft of hair between his eyebrows
- Tall and straight body
What are the Hyakumanto?
A collection of Buddhist prayers printed on paper and housed in a miniature pagoda.
What is the capital of the Tang Dynasty?
Chang’an, China
Where was the capital of Japan in 794?
Kyoto (Heian)
Summarize the Tale of Genji.
The Tale of Genji follows the political rise, love affairs, and social codes surrounding Hikaru Genji.
Name and locate the 4 main islands of Japan.
1.Hokkaido
2.Honshu
3.Shikoku
4.Kyushu
Name and locate the 4 main bodies of water surrounding Japan.
- Sea of Okhotsk
- Pacific Ocean
- Sea of Japan
- East China Sea
