Analysis of Formal and Content Features of Kamakura and Ashikaga Paintings; Emphasizing the Teachings of Buddhism and Zen Buddhism

Haghani Hesari, Mohadese; Amin Khandaqi, Javad

doi:10.22034/ra.2023.1988850.1297

Analysis of Formal and Content Features of Kamakura and Ashikaga Paintings; Emphasizing the Teachings of Buddhism and Zen Buddhism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohadese Haghani Hesari ¹

Javad Amin Khandaqi ²

¹ Master of Art Research, Faculty of Arts, Ferdows Higher Education Institute, Mashhad, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Dramatic Literature, Faculty of Arts, Ferdows Higher Education Institute, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/ra.2023.1988850.1297

Abstract

Japan has always been considered one of the most significant ancient and noble cultures. Painting is a Japanese art form that has been around for a long time and encompasses various genres. Before the 16th century, Japanese painting was influenced by Chinese painting and Western art. Buddhist religious paintings, ink concentration paintings, and Japanese calligraphy are the basic Japanese painting styles. The 14th century's supremacy of Zen religion over Shinto and Buddhism had an impact on Japanese painting. The characteristics of Japanese painting can be summarized as follows: 1. Being a devotee and not being influenced by any other arts (except Chinese art) 2. The artworks are directly affected by the mountains and sea 3. There is no distinction between the real and the ideal 4. There is an atmosphere of both peace and chaos. The most important principles of Japanese art include the five concepts of mono no awarw, wabi, sabi, yugen, and kirei, which are also used in Kamakura painting in connection with Zen Buddhism. In Zen thinking, the artist's inner connection with nature is what leads to the creation of a work of art. Nature is always a significant source of inspiration and original creation, and all things in nature have beauty and a noble spirit, and are worthy of admiration and respect. The expression of nature is the highest form of art in the Zen aesthetic tradition. Zen artists are endeavoring to demonstrate the impermanence and constant change of nature and its constant movement. Buddhism, and especially Zen Buddhism, significantly influenced Japanese aesthetics; as far as we can say, the concepts whose primary expression was Shinto metaphysics were placed in their right place by the ideals and principles of Buddhism. The perception of Japanese art by those outside of Japan, which is embodied and known by themes, particularly Buddhism, is a distinct understanding of its influences on Japan's artistic tradition. The goal of Zen path and Zen art is to find a way to escape from limitations, freedom, and salvation. Mindlessness can be achieved by recognizing one's own existential nature. The Zen artist is endeavoring to demonstrate the inner beauty and truth to us. The general characteristics of Zen art and Zen Buddhism in Japanese art can be summarized as follows: Zen Buddhism: the abundance of themes and narratives related to Buddha; the expression of religious ideas in the city; emphasis on narration; long and detailed folding scrolls to facilitate narration. Zen: love of nature, appreciation of the beauty and emotions; greater emphasis on direct experience of the nature of things; the work of art is a diagram of the unity of soul and body, inside and outside of the artist; Zen art is the result of unity between spiritual energies and human practical experience; showing empty spaces, stillness, and silence; abstract and unreal subjects while natural and normal at the same time. In the 12th century, a painting style that was solely Japanese was called Yamatue. The Chinese used scroll painting primarily for landscape paintings, while the Japanese used it to depict life events. This style is distinguished by its bright colors, fast and thin engravings, flat colors, and often being from above. Japanese painting was influenced by the supremacy of Zen over Shinto and Buddhist religions in the 14th century. The Chinese landscape became popular after Zen monks brought examples of composite water from the Sung-era to Japan. The Kamakura and Ashikaga periods are essential in Japanese painting due to the influence of Zen and Zen Buddhism schools. The significance of this issue suggests the need for research to apply the theoretical foundations of painting, in terms of content and method, based on Buddhism and Zen Buddhism. The purpose of this study is to provide an explanation for Japanese paintings from the 12th to 16th century (Kamakura and Ashikaga). The main question of this research is what are the formal and content features of Kamakura and Ashikaga's paintings that are based on Buddhism and Zen Buddhism? The library and viewing images are the methods used in this research for collecting information, while qualitative analysis is used. This study shows that the power of Zen Buddhist thought in the Kamakura era has created priorities such as the need to address the themes and narrations related to the Buddha, the expression of religious ideas, and the emphasis on the human narrative. The power of Zen thinking, love of nature, praise of beauty, emotions, and more has been strengthened through Ashikaga's painting. The unity of spiritual energies and practical experience is the reason for the creation of this art. Emphasizing abstract and unreal themes, empty spaces, stillness, and silence are the features of the art of this period. As a result, narrative and religious issues have decreased during this period.

Keywords

Japanese painting

Kamakura

Ashikaga

Buddhism

Zen Buddhism

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