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Arts of Japan

Japanese art covers many styles and media including pottery, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, woodblock prints, ceramics, origami, ikebana, and anime. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has its origins in 7th century Buddhist floral offerings that became more elaborate over time. The main styles of ikebana are Rikka, with its emphasis on nine positions representing nature; Seika, featuring a triangular arrangement; and Moribana, focusing on sculptural qualities. Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which can be simple or complex, using colorful chiyogami paper. Other Japanese art forms discussed include bonsai, kabuki

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25 views25 pages

Arts of Japan

Japanese art covers many styles and media including pottery, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, woodblock prints, ceramics, origami, ikebana, and anime. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has its origins in 7th century Buddhist floral offerings that became more elaborate over time. The main styles of ikebana are Rikka, with its emphasis on nine positions representing nature; Seika, featuring a triangular arrangement; and Moribana, focusing on sculptural qualities. Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which can be simple or complex, using colorful chiyogami paper. Other Japanese art forms discussed include bonsai, kabuki

Uploaded by

Manilyn Legaspi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Art

s
of
Japanese art covers a wide range of art
styles and media, including ancient
pottery, sculpture, ink painting and
calligraphy on silk and paper, paintings
and woodblock prints, ceramics,
origami, ikebana and more recently
anime.
Where Does Ikebana
Come From?
Simple floral arrangements were made as early as
the 7th century, when Buddhism was introduced to
Japan from China. It was the custom to place flowers
before images of the Buddha, and over the
centuries these floral offerings acquired a fairly
elaborate form.
During Heian times (8th to 12th centuries) it was a
common custom to send poetry attached to a
flowering branch as an expression of admiration and
sentiment.
Ikebana Arrangements &
Styles
The early Buddhist floral decorations were intended to
symbolize the idealized beauty of paradise, and as a result
they were generally both ornate and sumptuous.

The same attributes were preserved in Rikka – the first


Ikebana style – which aimed not so much at revealing the
beauty of flowers as at using flowers to embody an
elevated concept of the cosmos.
In the Rikka style, it is essential that the
nine positions be honored; but doing so,
with the understand that within this
structure there is room for personal
expression, is the secret to Rikka.
1. Shin: spiritual mountain
2. Uke: receiving
3. Hikae: waiting
4. Sho shin: waterfall
5. Soe: supporting branch
6. Nagashi: stream
7. Mikoshi: overlook
8. Do: body
9. Mae oki: front body
Seika, which literally means
fresh-living flowers.
In the Seika style, three of
the original positions were
retained: shin, soe, and uke,
creating an uneven
triangle.
The Moribana style of
Ikebana evolved as a way
to create a more three-
dimensional sculptural
quality with the use of
natural plants.
Origami: The Art of Paper Folding
In Japan, the tradition of folding square-shaped
paper to make various shapes is known as origami.

This form of paper artwork can range from simple to


complex. Cranes, hats, animals, flowers, and
shuriken are among the most common and
traditional origami creations you may come across.
Lucky Origami
It is believed that string of 1,000 paper
cranes is a symbol of longevity. It is also
traditional to give this to people who are
ill or hospitalized, as a way to wish for
their recovery and a long, healthy life.
Chiyogami
Originally, origami was always folded
with a colorful type of Japanese paper
called ‘chiyogami.’

During the early days


of origami, the craft itself was actually
referred to by this name as well. Even
today, chiyogami can be seen in souvenir
shops in Japan.
Bonsai are potted miniature trees
which are carefully styled to
achieve an aesthetic effect.

The concept was first imported


into Japan from China more than
a thousand years ago. Since
then, a distinctive style of this
art form has been developed in
Japan.
Kabuki is traditional Japanese popular
drama with singing and dancing performed
in a highly stylized manner.

A rich blend of music, dance, mime, and


spectacular staging and costuming, it has
been a major theatrical form in Japan
for four centuries.
Kabuki is made up of three kanji
(Chinese characters): ka meaning
sing, bu representing dance, and ki
indicating skill.
Today’s kabuki actors are all male, but the
art was created by a woman.

Kabuki was initially seen as avant-garde, a


bizarre niche form of entertainment for
the common people.
Noh is another theater form from Japan that
started way back in the 14th century. One of the
most distinct features of Noh was that actors
always wore masks.

If an actor was to be shown sad, he would wear


a mask that had sad expression, and if the actor
was to be shown happy, he would wear a
happy mask.
Musical instruments play an important
part in any Noh performance. Because
there is very little use of scenery and
props, actors in Noh wear very expensive
and expressive costumes. This helps in
focusing the attention of the audiences on
theactors.
Difference between Kabuki and Noh
•Noh is older than Kabuki having started in 14th century. The
first kabuki performance was seen in 1603.
•Noh was meant for higher classes and actors did everything
to earn the respect of the other higher classes who went to
watch this form of theater.
•Actors used masks to show emotions in Noh while heavy
makeup and paint is used by actors in Kabuki.
•Actors shout a lot in kabuki whereas, in Noh, they are more
somber.

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