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AnonymousThis reading about Japanese classical poetry was actually much more interesting than the title leads on. I have noticed that in Japanese art and clothing, and even in dishes or chopsticks, that there is often the use of foliage or floral patterns, but never really thought twice about it.
The reading introduces 3 classical styles of poetry, the waku, renga, and haikai. The poetry has influenced painting and also the clothing, furniture, ceramics, and utensils that people use from various time periods between the late 700's to 1867 (basically 1000 years). What the reading addresses is the influence of poetry in the painting of the seasons and flowers and foliage that are present during that season. I have noticed these paintings while at several museums in the last 6 months, but never honestly thought that the influence on this work was due to the classical poetry.
One of the interesting parts of the reading stated that waku had an impact on women's high fashion in the Edo period and a quote from the reading mentions that "the kosode designs enhanced the beauty of the wearer and expressed her taste and education, particularly her cultural sensitivity to the seasons." I thought that was so COOL! I could never imagine my education, taste, and cultural sensitivity, could be shown in the floral patterns of clothing that I chose to wear. This reminds me of some fashion designers who choose to create their own fabric patterns, but the thought that goes it to it is often more random than intricate, with meaning behind the design. I can't even imagine the depth of culture and meaning during the Edo period. I would really like to know more about the culture during this time period!
AnonymousI'd always considered dressing for the seasons to be a matter of practicality, heavy and dark in the winter to retain and absorb heat and thin and light colored in the summer months to disperse heat. The Japanese took a highly sophisticated approach to dressing for the seasons. The varied colors, patterns, and embroidery of the cloth evoked the changing face of the natural world from cherry blossom pink in the spring to icy gray for winter. This seasonal theme seamlessly worked its way through poetry, art, and clothing.
I understand that Japan is very hot and humid in the summer. I wonder how noble women coped with multiple layers of light colored fabric? I was struck when reading by how uncomfortable it might be. I also wonder how much this sophisticated style of dress trickled down to the common people? Historically fabric has been quite expensive. Amassing such a wardrobe must have been very costly.
AnonymousI heard of art imitating life, of life imitating art ,but never about an art form copying an art form.I found intriguing that aristocratic Edo poetesses used paintings to get a vague idea about nature that they subsequently described in their writings.Which proves again that in spite of their cloistered life ,women have always been resourceful.
AnonymousI read this chapter after hearing Professor Brown's talk on Japanese Art History and the writings posted explain in even more detail the complicated linking of months, seasons, plants birds and clothing, poetry and painting, even tea ceremonies. The cultural and social links to the natural world seem very logical given Shinto and Buddhist values and religions in Japan but the connections are still subtle and complicated. I can only imagine that growing up within the culture of Japan in one of the high periods made for a visually rich experience immersed in all of the arts.
AnonymousThe reading really highlighted what Prof. Brown spoke about on his presentation about Chinese art. I learned that the art represents seasons, places and or months. Looking at a piece of art work without knowing the history of Chinese art you would think that it's just about nature but as Prof. Brown elegantly pointed out its deeper than just a love a nature. In the poetry everything is seasonally represented and that even included the cloths they wore. I found the way they connected the months, seasons, clothes and writing very interesting. Cherry blossoms were planted in China and became a symbol for art and seasons.
AnonymousI really enjoyed Prof. Brown's presentation on the American-Japanese garden. It seems that all the wealthy families with estates have a Japanese style garden on their property. Also, as he mentioned many universities in California have a Japanese style garden( only two or so don't have it). The gardens represent beauty and change with the times. When many cities want to make itself beautiful they build an American-Japanese style garden.
AnonymousProfessor Brown's presentation was about Japanese not Chinese art.There a few references to Chinese art but the topic was Japanese art.
AnonymousJapanese poetry reading did not address haiku. It was interesting to note how Japanese women's fashions mirrored that of their favorite characters in Japanese poems.
AnonymousI am going to try Tanka poetry this year in addition to the Haiku we do with our cherry trees. the kids like the structure and it is shorter.
AnonymousI find it fascinating that the clothing represented nature in someway,whether it be in the color scheme or the plants that were painted on. This would be a great observation to point out to students.
cgaoAttached is the reading for this Saturday. It is a chapter titled "Visual Culture, Classical Poetry, and Linked Verse" from the book Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature, Literature, and the Arts by Haruo Shirane.
edited by cgao on 5/13/2015