February 21

We're moving quite slowly, but here are the things we've talked about in the past couple of sessions:


Chapter 3


Nara (Heijô kyô) - intended to be the last permanent capital of Japan but only lasted until 794; modern city of Nara. The Nara Period (710-794). Strong influences from abroad, especially Korea and China.

Shintô Shrines

Izumo Taisha
Ise Jingû

Buddhist Temples and their Art

A. Asuka / Hakuhô Period

1) Hôryû-ji (near site of imperial regent Shôtoku Taishi's 聖徳太子 Wakakusadera temple)

Tamamushi Shrine - Jataka tales

Asuka Period Painting and Sculpture
Influences: non-East Asian=Scythian, Central Asian

Korean: Korean kingdom of Koguryô: Tori's Shaka Triad
Korean kingdom of Paekche: Miroku Bosatsu
Chinese: Tang: Gakkô
Yumetagai (Yumechigai) "Dream Changing
Kannon
Amida
Horyûji murals

B. Tempyô Period

2) Tôdai-ji

Temple and Great Buddha sculpture

3) Tôshôdai-ji

Temple

Chapter 4

Heian-kyô - capital of Japan 794 - 1868; modern city of Kyôto. Heian Period (794-1185). Influences from abroad less strong.

New capital, new Buddhisms:

Tendai; Saichô; Mt. Hiei; Lotus Sutra
Shingon; Kûkai; Mt. Kôya; mandalas
Pure Land (Jôdo); Kûya; raigô (visit of Buddha at believer's death)

Fujiwara Period (897-1185)

Imperial / regent system (especially the Fujiwara family as Kampaku or Sesshô=regent)

1) Buddhist Art

Byôdô-in Phoenix Hall Temple + Garden
mandala (map of the Buddhist cosmos) hanging scrolls
raigô (visit of Buddha at believer's death) hanging scrolls
Heike nôgyô illuminated sutra (Lotus sutra) handscroll
Shigisan engi handscroll [scroll of the legend of Mt. Shigi] (flying granary scene)

2) Secular Art

Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) Handscroll
Chôjû giga (Funny pictures of birds and beasts) narrative scroll
Tale of the Heiji disturbance (Heiji monogatari) Handscroll

3) Calligraphy

4) Terms

Yamato-e (Japanese pictures)
onna-e ("feminine" painting style pictures) built-up layers of color, related to Yamato-e; outlines less
important than in otoko-e, below
onna-de ("feminine" hand=hiragana=Japanese script)

otoko-e ("masculine" painting style pictures) monochromatic or lightly colored; related to Chinese style, calligraphic line (like Chôjû giga)

hikime kagihana (simplified faces, example in Genji scroll; lit., line for eye, hook for nose)
fukinuki yatai (blown-off roof style)