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East Asian Art and Architecture
Table of Contents
Unit 17 Overview: Meiji Era: Modernizing Japanese Art
17.1 Western influences on Japanese art and architecture
17.2 Nihonga and Yōga painting styles
17.3 Meiji period decorative arts and export wares

The Meiji Period marked a turning point in Japanese art and architecture. As Japan opened up to the West, artists and architects began incorporating foreign styles and techniques into their work. This blending of Eastern and Western influences created unique hybrid forms.

Western-style buildings popped up across Japan, while traditional Japanese aesthetics influenced European artists. This cultural exchange sparked debates about preserving Japanese identity versus modernizing. The resulting artistic innovations set the stage for Japan's emergence as a modern global power.

Meiji Era Modernization

Political and Social Reforms

  • Meiji Restoration marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji in 1868
  • Westernization efforts aimed to modernize Japan's political, economic, and social systems to catch up with Western powers
  • Modernization included adopting Western-style government, education, military, and infrastructure
  • Cultural exchange with the West increased as Japan opened its borders and sent delegations to study abroad (Iwakura Mission)

Rapid Industrialization and Economic Growth

  • Meiji government promoted rapid industrialization to strengthen Japan's economy and military
  • Adopted Western technologies in manufacturing, transportation (railways), and communication (telegraph)
  • Encouraged development of modern industries such as textiles, mining, and shipbuilding
  • Economic reforms included establishing a national banking system, standardizing currency, and promoting foreign trade

Challenges and Tensions in Modernization

  • Westernization efforts sometimes conflicted with traditional Japanese values and customs
  • Debate between preserving Japanese cultural identity and adopting Western practices (wakon-yōsai - "Japanese spirit, Western learning")
  • Social tensions arose from rapid changes, such as the decline of the samurai class and the rise of a new urban middle class
  • Some artists and intellectuals criticized blind Westernization and advocated for a more selective approach to modernization

Western-influenced Architecture

Giyōfū Architecture

  • Giyōfū architecture blended Western and Japanese architectural elements, often featuring Western-style facades with Japanese interior layouts
  • Emerged in the early Meiji period as Japan sought to adopt Western architectural styles
  • Examples include the Kaichi School in Nagano (1876) and the Nara Prison (1908)
  • Giyōfū buildings often used brick, stone, and stucco, materials not commonly used in traditional Japanese architecture

Rokumeikan and Josiah Conder

  • Rokumeikan was a Western-style building designed by British architect Josiah Conder, completed in 1883
  • Served as a venue for diplomatic events and social gatherings between Japanese elites and foreign dignitaries
  • Josiah Conder, known as the "father of modern Japanese architecture," taught at the Imperial College of Engineering in Tokyo
  • Conder trained the first generation of modern Japanese architects and introduced Western architectural concepts and styles

Conderian Architecture and Eclecticism

  • Conderian architecture refers to the works of Josiah Conder and his Japanese students, who adopted and adapted Western architectural styles
  • Eclecticism, a hallmark of Conderian architecture, combined elements from various Western styles (Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Gothic Revival)
  • Examples include the Mitsubishi Ichigokan (1894) and the Nicolai Cathedral (1891) in Tokyo
  • Conderian architecture laid the foundation for the development of modern Japanese architecture in the early 20th century

Artistic Exchange

Japonisme and Cultural Exchange

  • Japonisme refers to the Western fascination with and influence of Japanese art and aesthetics in the late 19th century
  • Ukiyo-e prints, ceramics, and decorative arts from Japan became popular in Europe and the United States
  • Western artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Mary Cassatt incorporated Japanese artistic elements into their works
  • Cultural exchange also led to Japanese artists studying Western art techniques and styles (yōga - Western-style painting)

Westernization and Eclecticism in Japanese Art

  • Westernization influenced Japanese art as artists adopted Western techniques, materials, and subject matter
  • Yōga painters such as Kuroda Seiki and Asai Chū studied in Europe and introduced Western-style oil painting to Japan
  • Eclecticism in Japanese art combined Western and traditional Japanese elements, creating unique hybrid styles
  • Examples include the works of Hashimoto Gahō, who blended Western realism with Japanese ink painting techniques

Challenges and Debates in Artistic Modernization

  • Debate between preserving traditional Japanese art forms and embracing Western artistic practices
  • Some artists and critics advocated for the revival of traditional Japanese arts (Nihonga movement)
  • Others argued for the importance of learning from Western art to modernize and compete on the international stage
  • Tension between the government's promotion of Westernization and the desire to maintain a distinct Japanese artistic identity
  • Artistic exchange and eclecticism contributed to the development of diverse and innovative art forms in the Meiji period and beyond