1. Japanese Art

2. Students will be able to…
• Explain the forms of Buddhism practiced in
Japan and their effect on the country’s culture
• Examine Japan’s literary and dramatic
developments
• Describe themes associated with Japanese art
forms

3. Zen Buddhism
• Prince Shotoku encouraged the spread of
Buddhism in Japan
• Buddhism was practiced alongside Shinto
• The Buddhist belief that peace and happiness
could be gained by leading a life of virtue and
wisdom appealed to many.

4. Japanese Forms of Buddhism
• Different forms of Buddhism developed in
Japan
– Tendai Buddhism focused on the intensive study
of texts
– Shigon had complex rituals
– Amida, Pure land, believed that people might have
salvation in a pure land after their death
– Zen believed that something precious and divine
exists in each person

5. Zen Buddhism
• Beginning in the 1100’s Zen
Buddhism became common
• Zen Buddhism emphasizes
on self-discipline, simplicity,
and meditation
• “Zen” = meditation
• Followers believe that quiet
reflection was more useful
than performing
ceremonies or studying
scriptures
• Focus on individuals
attempt to achieve inner
peace

6. Zen Buddhism
• Samurai favored Zen
Buddhism because they
thought it would give
them inner peace and
strength in battle
• Samurai reflected the
strength they felt they
achieved in meditation
by drawing in black ink
and using thick, strong,
black lines

7. Literature and Drama
• A great period of literature began beginning in
the 800’s
• Around 400 The Japanese begun using
Chinese characters to write Japanese words
– The Japanese use characters to stand for specific
objects, actions, ideas, or sounds

8. Japanese Drama
• Drama began to gain
popularity in the 600’s
• In the 1300’s Noh theater
began
– Retelling of legends and
folktales
– Actors wore painted wooden
masks to show emotions
– Gestures, costumes, and
music were used to help tell
the story
– Most actors were men and
the plays were often
performed for both upper
and lower classes

9. Japanese Drama
• In the early 1600’s Kabuki
developed
• Combined melodramatic
singing and dancing with
elaborate costumes
• Actors wore heavy make
up
• More informal than Noh
• Themes dealt with
common people
• Only performed by men

10. Tale of the Genji
• In the early 800’s Japan ended
diplomatic relations with China
• Literature reflected emerging
Japanese culture independent
from China
• One of Japan’s finest writers was
Lady Murasaki Shikibu. She lived
at the emperors court in the early
1000’s
• She wrote a book called The Tale
of the Genji about life in the
imperial court – important
because it focused on realistic
events focused on one individual.
The world’s first important novel

11. Japanese Poetry: Haiku
• Short form of poetry 5,
7, 5
• Usually about love,
romance, or nature
• Matsuo Basho a famous
poet from the 1600’s
– He wrote poems that
had a quiet reflective
spirit of Zen
An old silent pond
Into the pond a frog jumps
Splash! Silence again

12. Distinctive Japanese Arts
Calligraphy and Painting
• Japanese consider writing as a
way to express beauty
• Each character is painted in a
set order of brush strokes
• Brush painting with ink on
paper scrolls and silk began in
the 600’s
– Depict landscapes, historical
events, and daily life
– Sometimes a short description
was on the painting itself

13. Distinctive Japanese Art
Flower Arranging and Gardening
• Ikebana- The art of flower
arranging was brought to
Japan by Buddhists
– Emphasis on simplicity
• Bonsai – art of growing
miniature trees and shrubs in
small pots or trays
• Zen gardens are designed to
help people think quietly
– Arranged with rocks and
pathways and few flowers or
trees