RSSWhat Makes Japanese Buddhist Art Special
Feb 19
Asia art, Asia, Buddhism, culture, family, health, home, Japan, painting, religion, spirituality No Comments
Buddhist art actually originated in the Indian subcontinent. With the passage of years and contact with other cultures throughout Asia the religion and the art form expanded to other places including Japan.
The art form actually followed the believers of the dharma who were growing in number and spreading around in Asia. From the north through to Central Asia and then into Eastern Asia Buddhism was spreading like wild fire. It extended all the way to Southeast Asia.
Japanese art had been influenced by a variety of movements and cultures prior to the arrival of Buddhism. In the Yoyoi and Kofun periods, the face of the Japanese art changed a lot.
It was in the 6th century that Buddhism made its way to Japan. Missionary monks made their way to the country with their scriptures and art work hoping to attract the unaware masses. Today Japan stands as the largest Buddhist country in the world. When Buddhism was disappearing in India it was improving in Japan.
Following the advent of the religion into the country Buddhist art started to flourish in a number of ways. The landscape was dotted with numerous monasteries and temples. Some of the most eminent buildings inspired by Buddhism are the Golden Hall of the Horyuki, the five story pagoda and the Kofuku-ji temple in the city of Nara.
Buddhist art grew up through its sculptures and paintings. Government also supported this growth by contributing several artists to the mission. As a result of the Chinese, Korean and Hellenistic influences, Japanese art of those times had an exceptional attraction and the art was concentrated on realism.
The Buddhist art had a greater development between the 8th and 13th century. In the periods of Nara and Heian, it became dominant in Japan. Hindu and Shintoist influences also were obvious in the Buddhist art forms. Most of the art works were featuring Buddhist deities and were extraordinary because of their variety and individuality.
The time period after the thirteenth century saw a change from the orthodox Buddhist art towards Zen art. This was the philosophy introduced into Japan through the Eisai and Dogen on their return trip from China. A host of original pottery and paintings expressing their desire to reveal the true meaning of life can be found belonging to this time period. Other art forms like Ikebana and martial arts also developed during these times.
An overwhelming amount of Buddhist temples, reaching up to 80,000, can be found in Japan today. Most of these temples had been modified a lot in order to conserve them.
Japanese Buddhist art is simple yet graceful. For further information about the presence of Buddhism in Japanese Kanji symbolism please follow the hyperlinks.
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