Culture, Religion, and Art in China and Japan

Amy Shugar

Elizabeth Rogers

Amy Richardson

Introduction

• Amy Shugar on Culture• Elizabeth Rogers on Religion• Amy Richardson on Art

Culture

Chinese Culture

• Introduction• Our Focus:

– Current Issues and Population Growth– The Wedding Ceremony– Extended Family

China: Current Social Issues

• Western values vs. the old guard – Divorce rates on the rise

• Social tension from “losing face”– Choose anonymity vs. exposure to avoid

shame

China: Tradition and Growth

• Population (projected to be 2 billion)– Growing birth rate– 92% Han Chinese– Regional identification

• Weddings– Arranged marriages– Gala ceremonies– Bride moves in with in-laws

China:Family As Power

• Children– Bachelorhood non existent– Support in old age– Continue family line– Strong family loyalty

• Why do the Chinese have large families? – Nepotism

Japanese Culture

• Introduction• Our Focus:

– Socio economic issues in Japan today– Family, career and integrity as

fundamental values in society

Japan:Modern Day Issues

• Population– Declining birth rate (1.5 births/family)

• Why are families sizes decreasing?– Living conditions cramped– Education costly– Marriage

Japan:Strong Family Values

• Respect for Elders– Knowledge of status– Differences in vocabulary

• Women and Children– Traditional view of motherhood

Japan:Diligent Work Ethic

• Men and the corporate ladder– Integral to identity– Socialization vs. current trend– Group consensus– Importance of job status– Prestigious company equals elite status– Religion plays a role

Religion

Chinese Religions: History’s Influence

• Culture – Only ancient civilization not interrupted– Never had theocratic national regime– Multiethnic nature valued harmony and

peace

• Patriarchal-feudalism– All religions must adapt Chinese

character

Primary Religions in China

• Ethical guides to proper behavior– Taoism– Confucianism

• Conventional Religion– Buddhism

• Other Religions– Christianity– Islam

Tao

• Literally: “The Way”• Founder: Lao-tzu in 6th Century BCE• Philosophy:

– Non-action (Wuwei)– Non-intention (Wuyu)

• Yin-Yang

Confucianism

• Confucius• State religion from 202 BCE – 1911• Philosophy: Stations in Life

– 5 Cardinal Relationships– 5 Virtues– Women had no rights

• Five Classics– Part of civil service exams– Memorized by Chinese students

Buddhism

• Founded by Prince Siddharth Gautam, the Buddha

• Entered China from India in 1st Century AD

• Two major trends: – Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) – Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle)

Japan

• Native Religion: Shinto• Imported Religions

– Buddhism (Mahayana form)– Confucianism

Often allegiance to more than one religion

Shinto

• Literally: “the way of the gods”• Supernatural force resides in natural

objects• Began in pre-historic times• No moral precepts or sacred scriptures

– Easy to incorporate into way of life

• Emperors/Empresses semi-devine status– believed to have direct linage to sun-god

Shrines

• Important symbol of Japanese nationhood• Individual reasons for existences

– Natural phenomenon– Historic event– Personal devotion / political patronage

• Common Features– Large Gate– Main Hall – location of kami (god)– Worship Hall

• Visitor “Ritual”

Japanese Buddhism

• Arrived mid-6th century AD– Prince Shotoku

• Adopted as state religion• Zen Buddhism important to the

samurai• 85% of Japanese profess faith of

Buddhism– 75,000 temples– 200,000 clergy

Art

Chinese and Japanese Art

• Chinese art: Traced back as far as the Neolithic Period (20,000-8000 BC)– Jade– Calligraphy– Paper Cuts– Seal Engraving

Jade (Yu)"Gold has a value; jade is invaluable."

-Chinese saying

• Two types – Hard (Jadeite) imported from

Burma– Soft (Nephrite) traditional

• Origins as old as Chinese civilization (5000 BC)• Used to make tools, weapons, utensils as well as currency

– Sacrificial vessels, figurines, instruments– Buried with dead

• Symbol of status as well aslove and virtue

• Eleven virtues of Jade defined by Confucius– Purity, intelligence, sincerity, truth…

Calligraphy (Shu Fa)

• Origins most likely around the time of the development of Chinese language (4600 years ago)

• Most ancient form of abstract art - Picasso and Matisse influenced by Chinese calligraphy

• Artists express themselves with brushstroke, technique and style

Paper cuts• Delicate and ancient art form –

emerged around 6th century (Chinese invented paper around the 1st century)

• Master paper cutters use scissors (or an engraving knife) and a piece of paper

• Important for holidays, festivals, religious ceremonies

• Used for embroidery patterns for clothes and laquer work

• Used at entrance gates to bring good luck to the family

• Today, paper cutting done on high-tech machinery

Paper cuts

Seal engraving

• Seal engraving traced back 3,000 years ago• Also known as a “chop”• Used on property and documents to identify

ownership and verification• Art form that became popular in 19th

century• Master seal engravers skilled artisans

similar to calligraphers– Use various materials: jade, gold, brass,

stone, wood• Souvenir shops today can “create your seal

in 15 minutes”

Seal engraving

Japanese Art

• Japanese art: Strong influence from outside cultures, especially China

• Began to develop in 7th and 8th centuries– Ceramics– Tea Ceremony– Lacquers

Japanese Ceramics

• History of Japanese ceramics dates back to 10,500 to 300 BC

• Ceramics influenced by tea culture – Raku (“pleasure”) tea bowls regarded as

height of Japanese ceramic making

• Today thousands of potters make a living creating ceramics

The Art of the Tea Ceremony

• China first introduced tea to Japan as a gift from Chinese Tang Court to Emperor Shomu

• Buddhist monks brought seeds back to plant in 1st century

• Ceremony of beauty and harmony• “Moment to enjoy the spirit of beauty,

quietude, and politeness toward others”

Wajima-Nuri Lacquer

• Wajima-Nuri is traditional Japanese lacquer with over 600 years of history

• Hand-made process can take over 2 years with a 100 coats of lacquer

• Used for soup bowls, dishes, chopsticks, lunch boxes and even golf clubs

Summary

• Both countries balancing old world traditions with modern technology

• Culture, religion, and art are all important parts of life in China and Japan