Lachlan's Blog Post 2

Blog Post 2:

Hello everybody, Lachlan here to talk about my current research findings on my individual topic of Japanese art. Since my topic is quite broad I am narrowing it down even more so I am able to do more specific and in-depth research.

Japanese art has a long history that dates back to the period known as the Jōmon period (10 500 BCE - 300 BCE). Japanese art covers many styles and forms from pottery, sculptures, paintings, calligraphy, origami, and ceramics. Some of the earliest Japanese art being ancient pottery from the original settlers of Japan, the Jōmon people. I am going to focus more on the paintings and their history and their change. Starting with paintings popular paintings from the Edo period such as ukiyo-e also known as woodblock prints and then finishing with the current contemporary modern art.

Although I have not been able to observe Japanese traditional art in museums yet, I have noticed the use of traditional art for tourism. Things such as “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, calligraphy of kanji and, pottery being sold at popular tourist locations. Although, I have made observations on traditional Japanese art prior to this trip. These observations being Japanese traditional arts focus on the environment and abstraction of the real world. Where historically western art strived to be more and more realistic as well as focused more on individuals and their actions. Traditional Japanese art focuses more on landscapes and animals and abstraction of what normally viewed. Japanese art also uses less depth then western art allowing it to have this more abstract style. I think that because of Japan’s long period of isolation it was able to maintain a unique style as there was little influence from outside of Japan. The opening of Japan during the Meiji restoration brought about a large influx of western influence to Japan. This influence brought about great change and exploration of Japanese art, that eventually leads to the modern Japanese styles.

Visiting the Mori Art Museum I was able to see the modern and contemporary Japanese art. I continued to notice a lack in depth in these modern paintings created a similar feel of “flatness” to that of traditional Japanese art. But, these modern paintings have many differences to traditional art that still allow them to have a newer feel to the Japanese style. One of the major differences I noticed and is quite explainable is the use of new technology. Allowing for interesting uses of colors. Many of the exhibits in the Mori Art Museum expanded on from just using a picture frame, using things like statues with simple flat faces and cameras that display reflective light on to a screen. I think that this modern art strives to use lack of depth in creative ways much like the traditional Japanese artists.

In conclusion from my current observations modern and traditional art have a very similar use of depth. Although, modern art has explored more interesting and abstract techniques. I would like to continue to explore more about how Japanese art underwent this change from traditional to modern. By looking into the Meiji restoration and how new ideas were used commonly. I hope to understand better how this change occurred and what major factors contributed to these changes.