Background Information
Japanese Painting: Nanga and Bunjinga School
During the Edo period, Nanga (southern painting) or Bunjinga (scholar or literati painting) artists took a form of Chinese painting as their model. Learn more.
Background Information
During the Edo period, Nanga (southern painting) or Bunjinga (scholar or literati painting) artists took a form of Chinese painting as their model. Learn more.
Background Information
Learn about Japan’s refined form of floral arrangement, known as ikebana (“to arrange and give life to flowers”).
Video
Mary-Ann Milford of Mills College discusses Shinto art and architecture.
Video
Mary-Ann Milford of Mills College gives a talk on prehistoric Japan and early ceramics of the period.
Background Information
European art and culture had a significant impact in Japan, both before and during the period of self-imposed isolation.
Artwork
Katsura River Style Flower Basket, approx. 1870-1920. By Iizuka Hosai I (1851-1916). Bamboo (madake), selected techniques: twill plaiting, diamond twill base. Lloyd Cotsen Japanese Bamboo Basket Collection, 2006.3.49.
Video
Background Information
Learn about the objects found in the alcove (Japanese: tokonoma, pronounced “toe-ko-no-ma”) of a traditional Japanese teahouse and the traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony.
Artwork
Inro with map of Japan, 1670-1722. By Shiomi Masanari (Japanese, 1647 – approx. 1722), Lacquered wood with sprinkled metallic powder (maki-e) decoration. Gift of Dr. Joseph Kushner, 2014.6. Photograph © Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.
Artwork
In the Snow at Tsukahara on Sado Island (Sashu Tsukahara setchu) from The Illustrated and Abridged Biography of the Founder [Nichiren] (Koso goichidai ryakuzu), by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797-1861). Japan. Woodblock print; ink and colors on paper. Gift of the Grabhorn Ukiyo-e Collection, 2005.100.118.