Japanese Vocab Flashcards
Zen Buddhism
a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the 6th century.
Kofun
megalithic tombs in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and the early 7th century AD.
Kami
meaning divinity or the supreme being.
Shinto
the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the people of Japan. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past.
Lacquer
a clear or colored wood finish that dries by solvent evaporation.
Jataka
tories about the previous lives of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha
Ukiyo-e
type of Japanese art that was popular from the 16th century; particularly in the form of color woodblock prints
Noh plays
combines a variety of elements into a stylistic whole, with each particular element the product of generations of refinement according to the central Buddhist, Shinto, and minimalist aspects of Noh’s aesthetic principles
Block print
printing from hand engraved or carved blocks of wood or linoleum
Collage
various materials are arranged and stuck to a backing
Key-block
master block in the production of a colored woodblock print, which requires different blocks for each color. It is a flat piece of wood with the entire design carved or drawn on its surface.
Polychrome
multicolored painted decoration applied to any part of a building, sculpture, or piece of furniture.
Genre painting
pictorial representations in any media that represents scenes or events from everyday life.
Kondo
main hall inside a Japanese Buddhist temple where the images of Buddha are housed.