Scrolls as Art and Literature The Art of

Scrolls as Art and Literature The Art of Early Japan Heian Japan World Literature Barrus

Phoenix Hall, Japan, Heian period, 1053 • Most important Pure Land Buddhism monument • Elevated wings, reflective pond- “floating weightlessness” of a celestial architecture

The Pillow Book • 枕草子 , Makura no Sōshi • Captures Heian Japan • Portraits of female life during the time period • Poetic in nature

Scene from Minori chapter, Tale of Genji, Late Heian period, first half of 12 th century • • Japan’s most admired literary classic (epic tale) Lives and loves of Prince Genji- view of court life 10 scrolls- painted by 5 teams of artists. Line and Hook (eyes + nose) Focus on emotionally charged moments in personal relationships rather than exemplary behavior

Detail of the Flying Storehouse, from The Legends of Mount Shigi, Late Heian period, late 12 th century • Buddhist tales- showing miraculous events • Rice filled storehouse of a wealthy landowner flying to poor monk’s (Myoren) hut in the mountains • Exaggerated emotions and gestures

Detail of The Burning of the Sanjo Palace, Kamakura period, 13 th century • Turbulent narrative handscroll painting • Illustrates some of the historic battles of the Japanese civil wars • Swift brushstrokes, vivid flashes of color • Play with movement and composition • Read story right to left

Key Scroll Components • Images of major events, daily life, recognizable situations • Text reveals subtlety of emotions and simplicity of action

Types of Scrolls • Poetry • Historical (wars etc. ) • Religious (parables) • Court Life (vignettes) • Nature

Additional Resources • http: //www. maikowor • Simple Kanji and ks. com/categories/al their meanings l/ • http: //japanese. abou • Basic Kanji lessons t. com/library/blkanji. htm • http: //ocw. mit. edu/an s 7870/21 f. 027/h • Visualizing Cultures Scroll Work ome/index. html