Dr. Margaret Barbee gave a very interesting lecture yesterday morning about the characteristics of Japanese art and culture that make it special and different from western art and culture. Often these words are used to describe Japanese art:
Refined
Graceful
Natural
Beauty
Detailed
Tranquil
Pleasurable
These are some terms that are used to describe certain kinds of Japanese art:
Shibui – subtle elegance, not
pretentious
Shoin – quiet, peaceful
Sukia – refinement, tradition
Wabi Sabi – rustic looking, withered,
dreary
Japanese art uses these common motifs to obtain these characteristics:
Flowers
Leaves and branches
Rocks
Water features
Birds
Colors
Metaphors and symbols
How is this art expressed in Japanese culture?
Painting
Food – cooking and serving
Calligraphy
Clothing – textiles, kimonos
Ceramics
Architecture
Gardens – bonsai
Flower arranging – Ikebana
Poetry – Haiku example:
“In the moonlight the
color and scent of Wisteria
seems far away “
Everywhere you go in Japan you see examples of gardens as art. Frank Lloyd Wright was very influenced by Japanese art.
Look how beautifully this Camphor tree has been pruned:
Even the gardeners and arborists understand art.