Japanese Painting:
A Small History Guide

The culture of the Land of the Rising Sun is unique. Japanese painting is one of the main symbols of the country. It has its own distinctive features, according to which it cannot be confused with anything.

For many years Japan was a closed country, European culture had no influence on it. It was borrowed from China (and partly from India), but with significant changes. For those who are not particularly versed in both, it may seem that there are no differences.

The development of painting here is associated with the history of the country, or rather, with the ruling dynasty in it.

Japanese art begins its inception since the 6th century. Then the ruling dynasty in the country was Yamato. At this time, the country got acquainted with the achievements of China and India, introduced some Chinese and Indian traditions and customs. In the painting of this time, it can be traced that artists began to actively depict Buddhist images.

During the reign of Nara (VII-VII centuries), it is clear that this acquaintance with the Chinese and Indian foundations was still continuing, Buddhist elements in painting became more and more popular throughout the country.

The next time period in the development of painting is associated with the painting of temples and the creation of "pictures" for stories. Landscapes of beautiful popular places began to be created. This period was called Heian (VIII - XII centuries).

The greatest development of Japanese art was observed only in the XIV century during the reign of the Muromachi dynasty. The painting became recognizable. Directions have appeared, some of the main ones are - sumi-e and ukiyo-e.

Sumi-e art involves drawing with ink on rice paper (this method was borrowed from China). Some of the brightest representatives of this trend are Toyo Sesshu or Hosegawa Tohaku (thanks to the latter, this style has gained wide popularity). Subsequently, it was this direction that became traditional. Flowers, landscapes, mostly idealized, rarely birds and animals were depicted on paper in a monochrome style. Monochromatic paintings won the hearts of people with their sophistication. The artists used a delicate soft color scheme, while they were not afraid to experiment: they could show the sky or grass in unusual unreal shades.

The art of ukiyo-e is engraving on wooden surfaces.

Further, new directions arose in Japanese painting, the already established ones were only supplemented. Artists began to depict portraits of geisha, craftsmen, generals, military battles, etc. The emphasis was on small details, each element was carefully drawn.

Contemporary Japanese painting is still original and multifaceted. Art has new styles, new opportunities to convey its own vision of the world.

Even in Russia they know names such as Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama or Hayai Miyazaki. Takashi Murakami is not only an artist, but also a designer, sculptor, his work covers many areas of life, his name is popular all over the world. Yayoi Kusama is also not just an artist, but also an equally talented sculptor; she can rightfully be called one of the most expensive artists in the world. Hayai Miyazaki is an artist, director, screenwriter and producer, author of popular Japanese cartoons (for example, "Whisper of the Heart", "Spirited Away", etc.). This suggests that artists are so absorbed in their activities that they do not stop only at painting, but develop and create new directions, new styles. And one cannot fail to note the support of already recognized Japanese artists to the younger generation.Artists actively support their colleagues and are open to cooperation with each other.

Contemporary Japanese artists: Takashi Murakami, Chiho Asima and Chiharu Shiota

The land of the rising sun is a land of talents. Many representatives of the modern art world were born, raised and are building their careers here: Chiho Asima, Chiharu Shiota, Tatsuo Miyajima, Ei Arakawa, Koji Ishikawa, Ayami Kojima, Erina Matsui, Takashi Murakami, Shinro Otake, etc. This list can only be continued.

Japanese artists are very original in their vision of art, each of them uses an unusual form of presentation. So, for example, it can be a painting, sculpture, animation, cartoon or installation, made in visual, sound format, etc. The works are popular worldwide: they are valued at very large sums of money, they are bought everywhere.

Takashi Murakami

The future artist received his education at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. The Tokyo University of the Arts boasts several dozen outstanding graduates, many of whom are renowned architects, designers, sculptors, painters, poets, writers, composers, and performers.

Takashi Murakami’s work is diverse and original, he is one of the brightest Japanese representatives of the modern school of art.

The artist is inspired by anime and manga, which are especially popular in Japan. During his career, he organized several dozen personal exhibitions of his works: sculptures, painting, animation, etc. In addition, he is known for his successful collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, Vans, with American performers Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, for which he created album covers and participated in the creation of clips.

Now Murakami continues to develop his creativity, dividing into two cities at once: Tokyo and New York. He also works with organizations, companies, brands, whose names are widely known all over the world, is engaged in charity work and support for the work of young domestic artists.

Tycho Asima

The artist Chiho Asima worked with Takashi Murakami for some time, creating paintings in the avant-garde style. Her works are famous for incredible landscapes and images of fantastic creatures, which she invents herself. For a long time she collaborated with Issey Miyake, a famous Japanese designer and fashion designer, whose support influenced Asima’s career.

In 2006 in London at the exhibition she showed the world her creation - unimaginable arches that conveyed the whole atmosphere of cities and small settlements in the daytime and at night. One of these arched structures was located in the metro, which was impossible to pass by.

Chiharu Shiota

Chiharu Shiota is a Japanese artist who became famous for her unusual presentation of her vision of contemporary art. She creates incredible spatial compositions using threads that twist around objects.

The future artist studied art for a long time in Japan and Germany, where she continues to work now.

To create his masterpieces, Shiota uses any objects, even asks ordinary people to help in this, so that they send their personal things with a little story about them. Basically, only red and black threads are visible in the works, each color has its own designation, each weaving has its own meaning. But Chiharu Shiota does not get hung up on some specific message, she allows the viewer to create his own image and message.

You can study Japanese artists for a very long time, because there are countless creative people in this country. One can only observe the careers of these people, and admire their works.