Arts of Japan
I chose Japan as my country because I was born in Japan. Even though I was born on American soil on a Navy base, I still think it is cool that I was born in Okinawa, Japan. I lived there for about two years before my family moved to Alaska for my dad’s job with the United States Army. I do not remember much about our time in Japan but I do hope to visit one day in the future. Because of my birth and time living in Japan, I chose artwork from Japanese artists.
The Tale of Yamanaka Tokiwa, Iwasa Matabei, 17th century
The first piece I chose is called The Tale of Yamanaka Tokiwa by Iwasa Matabei. It is about Yamanaka Tokiwa who was loyal and connected to the world of the samurai. Her husband, Yamanaka Yukimori, was a loyal samurai who had sworn his allegiance to a powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga, who lived during the Sengoku period (1467–1603). After the death of her husband, Yamanaka was left in a bad spot in her life facing many hardships of loss. This workpiece emphasizes the emotional drama of the samurai class. The pain of sending their loved ones away to war, and the role that women played in these rough times, often in the background but affecting the events. The Tale of Yamanaka Tokiwa painting is believed to have been painted in the early 17th century although the exact date it was completed is unknown. This painting and others by him showed themes from both historical events and contemporary culture. This painting deals with the Samurai and historical issues of the time. It was completed in Kyoto, Japan. The painter, Iwasa Matabei, was based in Kyoto, where many artists lived during the Edo period. Today Kyoto is the home to many Japanese artists and scholars, and it was also where many of the most famous ukiyo-e artists who worked during the early 17th century were located. I chose this painting because the mixture of colors and the story he was trying to portray, the galloping horses, and the sadness of the red stains bleeding out of the samurai soldiers drew my eyes to the painting.
Ten Conveniences and Ten Pleasures, Taiga and Yosa Buson, 1771
Ten Conveniences and Ten Pleasures completed in Kyoto, Japan was created by Totoki Baigai who was a Japanese artist. He traveled between Kyoto and Tokyo. He worked in both Kyoto and Tokyo during his life time. “The 18th-century haikai-no-rengapoet Yosa Buson was also an accomplished painter and, in the collaborative spirit of haikai-no-renga, co-authored, with Ike no Taiga, a pair of albums on the Chinese theme of the “ten conveniences” and “ten pleasures” of life, combining idealized depictions of nature (mostly by Buson) with anecdotal renditions of human activities (mostly by Taiga). The collaboration between Buson and Taiga was both collegial and competitive, calling to mind the centuries-old Japanese tradition of poetry and picture contests that showcased talent and skill.” (“A Brief History of the Arts of Japan: The Edo Period.” Smarthistory, smarthistory.org/japan-edo-period/. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.) Ten conveniences and ten pleasures are considered one of Japan’s most national treasures. “It visualized an idyllic lifestyle set in a reclusive garden, as described by Li Yu (1611–1680)” (Japanese, Copied by Totoki Baigai. “Copied by Totoki Baigai: After Ike No Taiga and Yosa Buson’s Ten Conveniences and Ten Pleasures: Japan: Edo Period (1615–1868).” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1 Jan. 1970, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/670892. ) The ten conveniences in the painting, the poets who painted this piece show the parts of life that are important (convenient) to make life easier. For example food, clothes, and a place to live. But the ten pleasures in the painting show the bigger pleasures and happiness of life by showing big and beautiful cherry blossoms and the dark structure of the house. During the time of this piece, he was very active in the Edo period. I chose this painting because the cherry blossoms have a strong meaning to me. After all, it's part of my birthplace and they are one of my favorite flowers by far.
Under the wave off Kanagawa , by Katsushika Hokusai, 1831
Under the wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai who was 70 years old when he had completed this painting. “Katz notes, “People don’t always realize that it’s not a painting but a print that was commercially produced for the mass market” (27, August. “10+ Things to Know about the Great Wave.” The Art Institute of Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, 27 Aug. 2024, www.artic.edu/articles/1139/10-things-to-know-about-the-great-wave.) It was completed in Edo which is now today known as Tokyo, japan. At first glance, you would think it is a painting but the artist who produced this print was a commercially produced scene, that he made for a documentary film. The title of this piece is Kanagawa oki nami ura, which translates in English to Under the Wave off Kanagawa. The story and history behind the work are meant to show how Mother Nature is always in control. This artist tried to tell the story of the wave being a force past human control and to show how fragile life can be. The wave can be interpreted as representing the unpredictable and bad side of nature, such as storms, tsunamis, or other natural disasters. Japan is in an area where Tsunamis happen and the coastal villages are often under Tsunami warning. One such Tsunami that recently occurred was the Tsunami that happened in March of 2011. The print shows that these types of natural disasters are a common thing. It is important to see that the piece shows the balance between good and bad. Humans are always trying to make sense of things that Mother Nature does. We try to explain the emotional weight of nature both the bad and good, the dark and light, the ugly and beautiful that nature and life can create. The boats show the struggles of how life can be fragile and the struggles of survival, especially in a different world than someone is comfortable with. Telling the story of the human struggle to steer life’s difficulties often in the face of overwhelming situations. I enjoyed and picked this painting because it caught my attention when I was picking art pieces. I enjoyed the blue layers of the waves with the contrast of white and the small detailed boats.
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