Japanese Art: Shodo Calligraphy

There are 3 styles which range

from very precise to very free-

form

Ink is made from charcoal and

water

Brushes are made of bamboo and

animal hair

Pieces are signed with artist's

name and stamp

It takes a lifetime to learn because

there are 48,000 characters!

Traditionally only black ink is used “Peace

”

Japanese Art: Wood Block Prints

The paintings are literally called

“pictures of the floating world”

It is the “floating world,” because

it is temporary/momentary

Pictures are usually of

landscapes, people, or theater

scenes

Pieces have been mass produced

for 300 years!

Traditionally in color

Carefully made to overlay several

different colors separately“The Great

Wave”

Japanese Art: E-maki

• E-maki is short for emakimono and literally means “picture scroll”

• It is a horizontal, illustrated narrative with text and pictures

• Can be drawn, painted, or stamped on a handscroll of paper or silk

• They traditionally tell about battles, religion, or folk tales

Depiction From “The Tale of Genji”

Japanese Art: Sacred Tea Ceremony

• It is also referred to as the “Way of Tea”

• The ceremony centers around the very detailed preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea

• It can consist just of tea time with small treats, or it can include a light snack or even a full meal

• The tea can be prepared “thick” or “thin” depending on how much powdered tea is used

• The ceremony is meant to spread peace, calm, health, friendship, and wisdom

Japanese Art: Sacred Tea Ceremony

A Japanese Tea Ceremony can last up to

4 hours!

This tradition is over 600 years old!

Kabuki Theatre

Began 400 years ago in the

city of Kyoto by a women

named Okuni .

The word for “Kabuki”

comes from the Japanese

words for song, dance, and

acting. With emphasize on

dance and acting.

The plays typically focus on

historical events and

modern life.

Kabuki Actors

Tachiyaku:

are male actors playing male roles

Onnagata:

are male actors playing female roles

Although Kabuki originated by a women, the roles soon after were only played by adult men in order to protect women and

children. This tradition is still continued today.

Kabuki Music

Music for Kabuki is

composed by the three-

stringed shamisen with a

combination of flutes and

drums, depending on the

play.

Nagauta is one type of

kabuki which has singers

that narrate the play.

Ikebana

• Ikebana is the art of arranging cut stems, leaves, and flowers in vases

• Has a history of about 700 years.

• While American flower arrangement focuses on many layers of flowers.

• Ikebana focuses on harmony between flower and container .

• The key is to use as few stems and leaves as possible to highlight the flowers' beauty.

American flower arrangement

Ikebana

Ikebana Styles

The first three are done in bowl-shaped vases while the last is done in a dish-like container.

There are several styles of arrangement. The most popular include:

Rikka

 (standing flowers)

seika orshoka

 (living flowers)

nageire 

(flung flowers)

the moribana 

(piled-up flowers)