Summary of Japanese Art & Material Culture by aelt
JAPANESE ART &
MATERIAL CULTURE
a summary of the course as taught by Doreen Mueller in the spring semester 2020 at Lei-
den University, using the lecture notes and literature of Varley Japanese Culture and Guth
Art of Edo Japan, as well as other sources online provided by the teacher during the
course. Key objects refer to the objects the students were asked questions about during
the two exams, as well as an essay question on such an object at the end of each exam.
[notes relating to studying the material are placed in brackets]
(notes relating to extra information is placed in parentheses)
CLASS 1 – NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXAM
CLASS 2 – EARLY JAPANESE ART (6 T H TO 8 T H CENTURY)
This class discusses the introduction of Chinese Buddhism into
Japan in the second half of the 6th century, the context in which it
appeared, and the influence it had on Japanese politics, art, archi-
tecture, and writing.
TERMS, NAMES AND DATES
Asuka epoch 6-7th century
Nara epoch 8th century
Buddhist architecture Garan pattern;
Buddhist sculpture Buddha / Bodhisattva / Shakyamuni Buddha = Shaka
Nyourai / Vairocana Buddha = Birushana / Avalokitesh-
vara Bodhisattva = Kannon Bosatsu / Manjushri Bod-
hisattva = Monju Bosatsu
[all basically shortening of the name in a crude fashion]
KEY ITEMS TO STUDY
Horyu-ji temple “temple of the exalted law”; 7th century Buddhist tem-
ple; oldest temple to survive in Japan as of date; exam-
ple of Asuka epoch architecture
key features:
uses Garan pattern; built as a provincial temple; purpose to propagate the
dharma; the revered statues is that of the Shaka Triad (consistent of Shakya-
muni, flanked by Manjusri and Avalokiteshvara) cast in bronze and a large statue
of Shakyamuni Buddha in wood.
Todai-ji temple “great eastern temple”; 8th century Buddhist temple;
became the most important state temple; example of
Nara epoch architecture.
key features:
use of lacquer statues; built as a state temple -> richly decorated; has a HUGE
Vairocana Buddha statue cast of bronze as its revered statue in golden hall
whose unveiling was celebrated with an international opening of the eyes cere-
mony in 752 CE.
LITERATURE: VARLEY, 28—42
Influences of Buddhism on Art, Writing and Architecture
Page 1 of 30
JAPANESE ART &
MATERIAL CULTURE
a summary of the course as taught by Doreen Mueller in the spring semester 2020 at Lei-
den University, using the lecture notes and literature of Varley Japanese Culture and Guth
Art of Edo Japan, as well as other sources online provided by the teacher during the
course. Key objects refer to the objects the students were asked questions about during
the two exams, as well as an essay question on such an object at the end of each exam.
[notes relating to studying the material are placed in brackets]
(notes relating to extra information is placed in parentheses)
CLASS 1 – NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXAM
CLASS 2 – EARLY JAPANESE ART (6 T H TO 8 T H CENTURY)
This class discusses the introduction of Chinese Buddhism into
Japan in the second half of the 6th century, the context in which it
appeared, and the influence it had on Japanese politics, art, archi-
tecture, and writing.
TERMS, NAMES AND DATES
Asuka epoch 6-7th century
Nara epoch 8th century
Buddhist architecture Garan pattern;
Buddhist sculpture Buddha / Bodhisattva / Shakyamuni Buddha = Shaka
Nyourai / Vairocana Buddha = Birushana / Avalokitesh-
vara Bodhisattva = Kannon Bosatsu / Manjushri Bod-
hisattva = Monju Bosatsu
[all basically shortening of the name in a crude fashion]
KEY ITEMS TO STUDY
Horyu-ji temple “temple of the exalted law”; 7th century Buddhist tem-
ple; oldest temple to survive in Japan as of date; exam-
ple of Asuka epoch architecture
key features:
uses Garan pattern; built as a provincial temple; purpose to propagate the
dharma; the revered statues is that of the Shaka Triad (consistent of Shakya-
muni, flanked by Manjusri and Avalokiteshvara) cast in bronze and a large statue
of Shakyamuni Buddha in wood.
Todai-ji temple “great eastern temple”; 8th century Buddhist temple;
became the most important state temple; example of
Nara epoch architecture.
key features:
use of lacquer statues; built as a state temple -> richly decorated; has a HUGE
Vairocana Buddha statue cast of bronze as its revered statue in golden hall
whose unveiling was celebrated with an international opening of the eyes cere-
mony in 752 CE.
LITERATURE: VARLEY, 28—42
Influences of Buddhism on Art, Writing and Architecture
Page 1 of 30
