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Asian Odyssey
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Asian Art at the CMA
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Japan
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Japan The arts of Japan include works of art that illustrate Japan's indigenous artistic traditions as well as those telling the impact of continental cultures. Ranging in date from Middle Jomon, about 2500 BCE, to the 20th century, these include paintings and sculptures inspired by Buddhist doctrines, handscrolls illustrating popular narratives and numerous hanging scrolls and screen paintings by leading artists from the Kamakura (1185-1333) through the Edo Period (1615-1868).Highlights of the collection include an outstanding group of early Buddhist sculpture : the Asuka Period (7th century) Buddha of the Future (Maitreya); the early Heain Nikko, the Sun Bodhisattva ( about 800 AD) . The collection is particularly strong in Buddhist material dating to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) . The importance of the Pure land Buddhist sect is superbly illustrated with the standing Amida sculpture (dated 1279) and two hanging scrolls: the Taima Mandala depicting the Western Paradise and the Niga Byokudo (check spelling) detailing the three paths to salvation The important handscroll Yuzu Nembutsu Engi illustrates the expansion of the sect through all levels of society. The portrait of the Zen priest Hoto Kokushi (1207-98) chronicles the importance of portraiture in the Zen tradition and realism in Japanese art during these centuries. In addition, the collection includes the Bato (Horseheaded) Kannon, two monumental Nio Heads, a representation of a Thunder God, and the 14th century Aizen Myoo, a deity of Esoteric Buddhism. The painting collection of the Muromachi (1392-1573), Momoyama (1573-1615) and Edo (1615-1868) periods demonstrate the major painting schools in the country. The suiboku-ga (ink painting tradition) paintings by the seminal 15th century priest-painter Shubun while the successive generations are represented by Soami , Sesson, and Shugetsu. Exemplary examples of the rich decorative painting traditions contrast to the ink monochromatic tradition. The Edo Period (1615-1868) collection includes approximately 50 screens (illustrated in the 2001 catalog, Unfolding Beauty: Japanese Screens from The Cleveland Museum of Art). The Rimpa School masters are illustrated by screens by Tawaraya Sotatsu; Ogata Korin, Watanabe Shiko , Fukae Roshu and Hoitsu. The literati school painters from the Edo Period--Taiga, Buson and Goshun--are illustrated in hanging scrolls and screens. Edo Period's Maruyama-Shijo artists Maruyama Okyo and Nagasawa Rosetsu works explain the realist tradition of this Kyoto-based school. Approximately 300 Ukiyo-e prints are included in the collection; Utamaro, Hokusai and Hiroshige are strongly represented. The decorative arts collection features ceramics and lacquer. Japan's long ceramic tradition is beautifully illustrated with outstanding examples of Jomon pottery; stoneware jars from the medieval ceramic kilns Echizen, Shigaraki and Tamba. Tea ceremony aesthetics are evident in those vessels made for storing and serving tea and include examples from Seto; Bizen; Echizen; Imbe; Oribe; Shino; and Shigaraki. Notable are the collaborative works by the Ogata brother, Kenzan and Korin. The porcelain tradition, dating from the 17th century, is superbly illustrated by works form the Kakiemon, Kutani, and Arita kiln. Acquisitions of contemporary works by further illustrate the inventiveness of Japan's leading contemporary potters. Page 3 of 6 | On the next page: China |
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