Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: art

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Japanese tattoo

入墨入れ墨刺青
alternative words: Irezumi, Shisei, Tattoo, Tattoos
keywords: art
related topics: Edo period
related web sites: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~VU6M-YMD/ , http://kodama.amitaj.or.jp/~satsuki/
explanation: As old Chinese book Gishiwajinden stated the tattooing had been widely practiced among Japanese people in former times. This custom had gradually disappeared by Chinese influence because for them it was a kind of punishment applied to criminals. Modern tattooing as an art appeared during Edo period, first among criminals then hard labor workers to show their courage. In spite of its ban by Meiji government, it has subsisted and is still popular among yakuza.

Kakemono

掛物掛け物掛軸
alternative words: Kakejiku
keywords: art , thing
related topics: Heian period , Muromachi period , Tokonoma , Japanese calligraphy
related web sites: http://kakejikudou.web.fc2.com
explanation: Picture put on a luxurious role paper and admired while vertically hung on the wall. Introduced during Heian period to Japan as a practical mean to represent Buddhist figures, it had become a medium for any pictures or calligraphy thanks to a development of "tokonoma" in Muromachi period. Being easily interchangeable following a seasonal change, it has become very popular in traditional houses. Don't confuse with "makimono" which should be scrolled horizontally.

Kano school

狩野派
alternative words: Kanoha school, Kanoha, Kanouha, Kano ha, Kanou ha
keywords: art , school
related topics: Muromachi shogunate , Edo shogunate , Oda Nobunaga , Toyotomi Hideyoshi , Ink painting , Hashimoto Gaho
explanation: Japanese painting school founded by Kano Masanobu, an official painter (goyoeshi) of Muromachi shogunate. His son, Motonobu created "Kano style" by synthesizing Chinese and Japanese painting (yamatoe) techniques. Motonobu's grandson, Eitoku, patronized by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, developed screen and wall painting (shobyoga). Eitoku's grandson, Tanyu, recruited by Tokugawa Ieyasu as goyoeshi, realized many painting for Edo shogunate and his disciples perpetuated Kano school.

Kimono

着物和服
alternative words: Wafuku, Japanese clothes, Japanese clothing
keywords: art , craft
related topics: Heian period , Samurai , Edo period , Haori , Obi , Hakama
related web sites: http://www.kimono-taizen.com , http://www.sgm.co.jp
explanation: Initially an imitation of Chinese style, Japanese clothes were born in the middle of Heian period when the newly-risen samurai class adopted "Kariginu", literally "clothes for hunts", of the court's aristocrats because of its commodity for moves. This samurai style clothes, "Hitatare", spread to other population during Kamakura and Muromachi periods. The main change which occurred in Edo period is the appearance of a wide belt (Obi) and an over clothes (Haori).

Kokeshi

こけし小芥子
alternative words: Kokeshi doll
keywords: art , craft , thing
related topics: Japanese doll , Kimono
related web sites: http://homepage3.nifty.com/bokujin/ , http://www.geocities.jp/kokeshi_net/
explanation: Wooden Japanese female doll, composed of a cylindrical body with motif of polychrome Japanese robe (Kimono) and a round head attached at the top. The fabrication began in Meiji period as a tourist gift of hot springs in Tohoku region (north western region) where farmers had many free time during long winter. According to manufacturing towns there exist a dozen of styles and old kokeshi is an object of collection.

Masamune

正宗五郎正宗五郎入道正宗
alternative words: Goro Masamune, Goronyudo Masamune, Goro nyudo Masamune
keywords: art , craft , famous person , weapon
related topics: Kamakura period , Oda Nobunaga , Sengoku period , Japanese sword
related web sites: http://www.n-p-s.net/T_Masamune.htm
explanation: Sword smith of the late Kamakura period but few is known about him because sword smiths were not considered as established artists at that period. According to a source, he was a disciple of Kunimitsu and lived at Kamakura. His swords were also called Masamune and characterized by a wide blade and gorgeous wave motifs which would be highly appreciated by war lords of sengoku period such as Oda Nobunaga. Due to its oldness, only some examples have survived until now.

Muramasa

村正右衛門尉村正妖刀村正
alternative words: Uemonnojo Muramasa, Uemon no jo Muramasa, Cursed sword Muramasa
keywords: art , craft , famous person , weapon
related topics: Muromachi period , Tokugawa Ieyasu , Sengoku period , Japanese sword
related web sites: http://nabesan.stbbs.net/history/japanese/muramasa.html
explanation: Sword smith of the late Muromachi period in Mie prefecture. By studying the swords, it was shown that there should have existed 3 generations of sword smiths who carried the name of Muramasa. They were characterized by a similitude of motifs on the both side and very popular during Sengoku period because of their sharpness. They became cursed swords of Tokugawa family because both the grand farther and farther of Tokugawa Ieyasu would have been killed by Muramasa swords.

Nanban

南蛮
alternative words: South barbarian, Southern barbarian
keywords: art , foreigner
related topics: Sengoku period
explanation: Literally "southern barbarian", this term was used first by Chinese to designate the people living in south China such as Vietnamese. Japanese took this term to designated Portuguese and Spanish during Sengoku period because, arriving always from south-east Asia, they sought to live there. In a broader sense, it designated also everything related to Europe or influenced by Europe, such as Nanban art, Nanban literature (Nanban bungaku), Nanban screen (Nanban byobu), etc.

Nishikie

錦絵
alternative words: Nishiki-e, Nishiki e
keywords: art , ukiyoe
related topics: Ukiyoe , Edo period , Hishikawa Moronobu , Suzuki Harunobu
related web sites: http://www.tvz.com/nishiki-e/ , http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/gas_museum/nishiki_e/ , http://mdat.ff.tku.ac.jp/korea/korea.html
explanation: Polychrome Ukiyoe art technique invented by Suzuki Harunobu around in 1765. Initiated by Hishikawa Moronobu at early Edo period, until this date Ukiyoe had only one (Sumizuri-e) or few colors (Tan-e and Benizuri-e). By superposing dozens of different color printing, each color showing light and shade, he succeeded to create the world's first full color printing. Since the invention of Harunobu, Ukiyoe had risen to the biggest popular art of Edo period.

Obi

帯
alternative words: Kimono belt, Japanese kimono belt, Belt
keywords: art , craft
related topics: Kimono
related web sites: http://www.omn.ne.jp/~kn38/
explanation: Curiously, "obi" is a kimono's component who developed lately. Initially people wore kimono with a narrow string, revolved once and attached before. The modern "obi" appeared during Muromachi period with "kosode" (small sleeve), i.e. the actual form of kimono. During Edo period, obi has become a decorative element for women, revolved several times with a huge not behind, while men's obi evolved little. Nowadays, the most of obi is made at Nishijin in Kyoto.

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29 articles extracted from postgresql database.