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UT Knoxville ARTH 183 - Heian Period Art and Introduction to Kamakura Period
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ARTH183 1st Edition Lecture 23Outline of Last LectureI. Nara Period Japan: Buddhist Art ContinuedA. “Shukongojin”; historical connectiona. Figure style-Chinese influenceb. Form/Technique (clay, armature)-Original paintc. International Style influence-Realism vs. exaggerationB. “Priest Ganjin”; historical significance of work and subjecta. Figure styleb. Form/Technique (dry lacquer); characteristics-Sculpture functionC. “Kichijoten”a. Subject; mixing of religions-Empress Kokenb. Style-Similarities to Tang woman (convergence of religious and secular)c. Function/significance of garmentsD. End of Nara Period; role of Buddhism and Empress KokenII. Heian Period Japan (794-1189 CE)A. emakimono; what it is, why it became populara. Vernacular novel; the Tale of Genji-Historical significance-Author-SubjectB. “Tale of Genji/Genji Monogatari”; characteristics of illustrationsa. fukinuki yataib. Death scene-Homogeneity of figures-Overall focus of narrative; how it is shownc. Role of botanical and structural/architectural elements-Problem these strategies solveOutline of Current LectureI. Heian Period Japan Court Art: “Tale of Genji” ContinuedThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.A. Ukifune and Naka no Kimi illustration; scene it portraysa. Double function of illustrationb. Composition-Possible significance of Ukifune’s positionc. StyleII. Esoteric and Amida BuddhismA. Esoteric/Vajrayana Buddhisma. Characteristics-“Buddha Nature”-Relationship to Hinduismb. Mandala; definitionB. “Mandalas of the Two Worlds (Womb World and Diamond World)”; historical significance, typical mandala composition (Vairochana)a. Relationship to Chinese Tang artb. “Womb World”-Composition (hieratic scale)c. “Diamond World”-Composition-“Wisdom fist” mudra; meaning-Gold foil techniqueC. Amida/Pure Land Buddhism; a. Characteristics/appeal to common people-Growth in connection to concept of mappoD. “Phoenix Hall” at Byodo-in Temple; purpose/dedication, source of namea. Form/Style-Chinese influence-East/West orientation, lake symbolismb. Use by aristocracy (experience it was meant to evoke)E. “Amida,” by Jocho, in Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in Templea. Amida meditation mudrab. “Joined wood” sculpture method-Hollow interior contentsc. Form/Style-Wall sculptures of retinue*Identifier of Avalokiteshvara, its significanceIII. Kamakura Period Japan (1185-1333 CE)A. Big governing shift; its effects on art-Introduction to “Tales of the Heiji/Heiji Monogatari”*SubjectCurrent LectureHeian Period Japan Court Art: “Tale of Genji” ContinuedOne of the surviving illustrations happens after Genji’s death when the story is focused on his grandson: shows Ukifune, an illegitimate daughter of a prince who has no social status,and her half-sister Naka no Kimi (seen from the back getting her hair brushed), who married well and has status. Ukifune is visiting Naka no Kimi for the first time after having a marriage proposal rescinded when the man found out about her low social standing. Naka no Kimi’s horndog husband spies on Ukifune inappropriately and unsettles her.-The main figures are seated across from each other on the far left as an attendant reads from a text and the 2 women look at illustrations of it (a form of self-entertainment for court women); the painting acts as an illustration of the text as well as an illustration of how images like this were used*Ukifune’s positioning around a corner in the setting’s more unstable-looking, sharply tilted plane may reflect her desire to hide from the other women/internal distress-This style is associated with court painting, but it is not the only style that was worked in; considered appropriate for aristocracy/domestic drama subject matterEsoteric and Amida BuddhismEsoteric/Vajrayana Buddhism becomes very popular in the early Heian Period. Esoteric=teachings are revealed gradually, each person is believed to have their own personal deity and a “Buddha Nature” (the potentiality to become a Buddha), draws a lot on Hinduism (multi-limbed and headed gods, more female gods, focus on male/female complementarity and sexual union as metaphor for means of achieving enlightenment); uses a lot of ritual objects, charms, and mandalas-a diagram of the heavens that shows the relationship of deities“Mandalas of the Two Worlds (Womb World and Diamond World).” Heian Period, late 9thc.: The most important and oldest extant Japanese esoteric Buddhist mandalas-the Womb World is female gendered and the Diamond World is male gendered. Madalas are usually visually entered from one side and then moved through inwardly in a spiral to the center, which always contains Vairochana, the Universal Buddha.-“Womb World” and “Diamond World” are thought to be copies of Chinese mandalas. There are similarities to the Tang style in use of bright colors, skin areas outlined in red ink, use of shading, circular heads, small, dainty facial features, and horizontal eyes and eyebrows-“Womb World”: Shows hieratic scale-the degree of enlightenment and size of the figures decrease moving away from the center. Closer to the center, figures are more formal and still.-“Diamond World” is organized differently; actually made up of 9 separate mandalas, where the “One Hand Assembly” at top center has a lone Vairochana sitting on a lotus throne performing the “wisdom fist” mudra that is specific to him*Mudra represents the union of wisdom (female) and compassion (male)*Shows use of gold foil technique where little pieces are applied for a glittery, luxurious effectEsoteric Buddhism was especially popular with the aristocracy, but not very accessible/practical for the masses (no time to sit and memorize pantheon of gods, emphasized good works/acquisition of good karma through art patronage they couldn’t afford). From the 10th century on, Amida/Pure Land Buddhism was propogated by priests and became popular with the common people-salvation only required devotion and chanting. This popularity wasalso a result of the Buddhist belief in mappo: A period of decline in Buddhist law where salvation is unattainable and the best one could hope for was rebirth in a paradise (It was believed a mappo began in 1052 CE)-“Phoenix Hall.” Byodo-in Temple. Heian Period, 1053 CE: Byodo-in was converted from a Buddhist temple and then an


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UT Knoxville ARTH 183 - Heian Period Art and Introduction to Kamakura Period

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