🗾East Asian Art and Architecture Unit 12 – Japanese Buddhist Art: Asuka & Nara

Historical Context and Timeline

• Buddhism introduced to Japan from Korea in the 6th century during the Asuka period (538-710 CE)
• Asuka period marked by the rise of powerful clans, such as the Soga, who promoted Buddhism as a means to consolidate power
  • Soga no Umako, a prominent Soga clan leader, played a crucial role in the early spread of Buddhism
• Nara period (710-794 CE) established Buddhism as the state religion, leading to the construction of grand temples and monasteries
• Emperor Shōmu (r. 724-749) initiated the construction of provincial temples (kokubunji) and nunneries (kokubunniji) throughout Japan to promote Buddhist teachings
• Empress Kōmyō, consort of Emperor Shōmu, actively supported Buddhist projects and commissioned important artworks (Senju Kannon at Hokkeji)
• Capital moved from Asuka to Nara in 710 CE, marking the beginning of the Nara period and a new era of Buddhist art patronage
• Tōdaiji, the largest Buddhist temple in Japan, was completed in 752 CE, symbolizing the power and influence of Buddhism in the Nara period

Key Buddhist Concepts in Art

• Buddha's teachings (dharma) and his path to enlightenment (nirvana) are central themes in Buddhist art
• Bodhisattvas, compassionate beings who postpone their own enlightenment to help others, are frequently depicted in sculpture and painting
  • Kannon (Avalokiteśvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is one of the most popular subjects in Japanese Buddhist art
• Mandalas, geometric diagrams representing the cosmic realm of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, are used as aids for meditation and visualization
• Six Realms of Existence (rokudō) illustrate the cycle of rebirth and the consequences of one's actions (karma)
  • Realms include heavenly beings (deva), humans, animals, hungry ghosts (preta), demons (asura), and hell (naraka)
• Jātaka tales, stories of the Buddha's previous lives, provide moral lessons and are often depicted in painting and sculpture
• Concept of impermanence (mujō) is reflected in the use of perishable materials and the depiction of the Buddha's passing into nirvana (parinirvāṇa)

Major Temples and Monuments

• Hōryūji, founded in 607 CE by Prince Shōtoku, is the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world and houses important Buddhist artworks
  • Kondō (Golden Hall) at Hōryūji contains the famous Shaka Triad, a bronze sculpture of the Buddha flanked by two bodhisattvas
• Yakushiji, originally built in the 7th century, is known for its symmetrical layout and the Yakushi Triad, a bronze sculpture of the Buddha of Healing
• Tōdaiji, constructed in the 8th century, is the largest wooden building in the world and houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a massive bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha
  • Shōsōin, a treasure house at Tōdaiji, preserves a vast collection of Buddhist art and artifacts from the Nara period
• Kōfukuji, a powerful temple complex in Nara, is renowned for its five-story pagoda and the Ashura statue, a masterpiece of Nara period sculpture
• Tōshōdaiji, founded by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin) in 759 CE, introduced the Ritsu school of Buddhism and Chinese architectural styles to Japan

Sculpture and Iconography

• Bronze casting, introduced from China and Korea, became the primary medium for Buddhist sculpture in the Asuka and Nara periods
  • Lost-wax method allowed for the creation of hollow, large-scale bronze sculptures
• Dry lacquer technique (kanshitsu) involved layering cloth soaked in lacquer over a clay core, resulting in lightweight, durable sculptures
• Buddha sculptures often depicted with specific hand gestures (mudrā) and physical characteristics (lakṣaṇa) symbolizing their divine status
  • Dharmacakra mudrā, representing the turning of the wheel of dharma, is commonly seen in Asuka and Nara period Buddha sculptures
• Bodhisattva sculptures are characterized by their elaborate headdresses, jewelry, and flowing robes, symbolizing their divine nature and compassion
• Guardian figures, such as the Niō (Benevolent Kings) and the Shitennō (Four Heavenly Kings), are depicted as fierce, muscular beings protecting the Buddha and the dharma
• Mandorlas, circular or oval halos surrounding the head and body of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, signify their divine radiance and spiritual power

Painting and Decorative Arts

• Wall paintings in temple interiors depict Buddhist narratives, such as the life of the Buddha and the Jātaka tales
  • Hōryūji contains rare surviving examples of Asuka period wall paintings, showcasing the influence of Chinese and Korean styles
• Sutra scrolls, hand-copied Buddhist texts on paper, were often adorned with colorful illustrations and decorative frontispieces
• Embroidered textiles, such as the famous Tenjukoku Shūchō Mandala, used silk threads and gold leaf to create intricate Buddhist imagery
• Lacquerware, including sutra boxes and offering vessels, featured elaborate designs and inlaid mother-of-pearl (raden) decorations
• Wooden pagodas, such as the five-story pagoda at Hōryūji, were painted in bright colors and adorned with metal finials and ornaments

Artistic Techniques and Materials

• Wood served as the primary material for temple architecture, sculpture, and ritual objects due to its abundance and versatility
  • Camphor, cypress, and pine were among the most commonly used woods in the Asuka and Nara periods
• Bronze casting techniques, such as the lost-wax method and piece-mold casting, enabled the creation of large-scale, hollow sculptures
  • Gilt bronze, achieved by applying gold leaf to the surface of a bronze sculpture, added a luxurious and sacred appearance
• Lacquer, derived from the sap of the lacquer tree, was used as a protective coating and decorative medium on sculptures, paintings, and objects
  • Lacquer could be pigmented or inlaid with materials like mother-of-pearl to create intricate designs
• Mineral pigments, such as azurite blue, malachite green, and cinnabar red, were used in painting and the coloring of sculptures
  • Pigments were mixed with animal glue binders to create a durable and vibrant paint
• Gold and silver leaf were applied to sculptures, paintings, and decorative objects to signify the sacred nature of Buddhist art

Cultural and Political Influences

• Introduction of Buddhism to Japan via the Korean kingdom of Baekje in the 6th century led to a significant cultural exchange
  • Korean artisans and monks played a crucial role in the transmission of Buddhist art and architecture to Japan
• Chinese Buddhist art, particularly from the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), greatly influenced the style and iconography of Japanese Buddhist art
  • Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin) brought Tang-style Buddhist teachings and artistic practices to Japan in the 8th century
• Rise of powerful clans, such as the Soga and Fujiwara, who used Buddhism as a means to consolidate political power and gain influence in the imperial court
  • Patronage of Buddhist art and architecture served as a way to demonstrate wealth, piety, and cultural sophistication
• Emperor Shōmu's promotion of Buddhism as the state religion led to the construction of provincial temples (kokubunji) and nunneries (kokubunniji) throughout Japan
  • This initiative aimed to create a unified Buddhist nation and assert the emperor's authority over regional clans
• Nara period Buddhist art reflects the cosmopolitan nature of the capital city, which attracted scholars, artisans, and monks from China, Korea, and beyond

Legacy and Impact on Later Periods

• Asuka and Nara period Buddhist art established the foundation for the development of Japanese art and architecture in subsequent eras
  • Heian period (794-1185) Buddhist art built upon the styles and techniques developed in the Nara period, while incorporating esoteric Buddhist influences
• Architectural styles and layouts of Asuka and Nara period temples, such as the symmetrical arrangement of buildings at Yakushiji, influenced later temple designs
• Sculptural styles, particularly the idealized proportions and serene expressions of Buddha and Bodhisattva figures, set the standard for later Buddhist sculpture in Japan
• Painting techniques, such as the use of mineral pigments and the depiction of Buddhist narratives, continued to evolve in the Heian period and beyond
• Artistic lineages and workshops established in the Asuka and Nara periods, such as the Kei school of sculpture, passed down knowledge and skills to future generations of artists
• Preservation and study of Asuka and Nara period Buddhist art, exemplified by the Shōsōin treasure house at Tōdaiji, have provided invaluable insights into early Japanese art history
• Influence of Asuka and Nara period Buddhist art extends beyond Japan, with its styles and iconography impacting the development of Buddhist art in other parts of East Asia