Japanese Traditional Art and SerenityJapanese Traditional Art encompasses a variety of genres. Here we will look at some of the things that connect these different genres.
Japanese arts such as Japanese Pottery, painting, Japanese Music and Japanese Flower Arrangement all have their own unique characteristics to them. However, in general there are a few underlying principles to the various traditional arts. I would suggest a main theme throughout the Japanese traditional arts is that of suggestion, or hinting at a deeper, more direct meaning as opposed to blatant expression. The idea of Yugen comes to mind. Yugen has had various interpretations over time, but a good definition would be a profound, mysterious insight into something seen as vague on the surface. It is experiencing the present world and going beyond what words can express. However, it is important to remember that this is not a suggestion of another world or higher place, but a reality that exists beyond what we can see only with our eyes. Zeami Motokiyo, the founder of Noh theater said that Yugen was:"To watch the sun sink behind a flower clad hill. To wander on in a huge forest without thought of return. To stand upon the shore and gaze after a boat that disappears behind distant islands. To contemplate the flight of wild geese seen and lost among the clouds. And, subtle shadows of bamboo on bamboo." Aesthetic notions of Japanese traditional art are also influenced by the principle of Ma (間 “substantial silence”), an important concept of time and spacing. Given the depth with which Ma plays in the various arts, I have gone into more detail on Ma HERE. Although specifically referring Japanese music, we can say that there are three genres of Japanese aesthetics : The first premise is the idea of beauty, which has been a central concept for the Japanese throughout time. When art music was developed mainly for entertainment in the Heian period the idea of beauty was expressed in the term Aware (哀れ “enjoyable”) .
On the surface, it is difficult to pinpoint a commonality of Japanese traditional art. I would say that a focus on vagueness and the beauty of impermanence are two consistent connectors. But every work of art has its own uniqueness and originality. Even when a culturally accepted concept of imitation is acknowledged, there is no such thing as a copy. That artist has tried to become one with his or her teacher’s style, inheriting the knowledge that has been passed down throughout the centuries, but inevitably their own identity also shines through. Even in modern Japanese traditional art, we cannot take the modern day artist out of the equation. A study of these Japanese traditional art aesthetics will bring someone closer to understanding their art form, but they must also bring their personal experiences and relationship with nature. Every good piece of Japanese traditional art is alive and relevant in our modern day society. Grand Island Serene Gardens tries to bring original Japanese art to people all over the world so they to can appreciate the relationship between art, creativity, human beings and nature. Explore some of our pages to find out what we are showcasing this month.
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