Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Paintings

Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Paintings

• Paintings originated from prehistoric humans who used red ochre and black pigments
• Early paintings often depicted hunting scenes of humans chasing animals like horses, rhinoceroses, lions, buffalos, and mammoths
• Landscape paintings were considered the quintessential form of Chinese painting
• Landscape paintings have three major components: nature, heaven, and humankind
• Chinese painting highlights harmony between nature, heaven, and humankind
• Asymmetrical balance is when the two sides of an artwork are not alike but carry equal visual weight, also known as informal balance
• Harmony in visual design means all parts of the image relate to and complement each other
• Calligraphy is an ornamental writing usually done with a pen in the West and a brush in China and Japan
• Calligraphy is considered the "art of beautiful handwriting"
• The six principles of painting (also known as the six canons of painting) include:
  • Spirit Resonance: The energy and movement of the art work
  • Bone Method: The use of brush strokes and texture
  • Correspondence to the Object: The lines and shape of the subject matter
  • Suitability to Type: The correct application of color
  • Division and Planning: The composition of the frame and the artwork
  • Transmission by Copying: The accurate proportion of the object and nature, from life or antiquity
• The history of Korean painting dates back to 108 C.E.
• Korean painting subjects include landscapes, facial textures, and Buddhist themes
• Common categories of North and South Korean paintings include:
  • Landscape paintings
  • Minhwa (traditional folk painting)
  • The Four Gracious Plant/Four Gentleman
  • Portrait styles
• Japanese printmaking is an ancient technique for printing text, images, or patterns
• Woodblock printing was adapted in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867)
• Ukiyo-e, meaning "pictures of the float world" is one of the most popular styles of Japanese art
• Ukiyo-e can be produced using a variety of media, including painting
• Ukiyo-e initially appealed to affluent families
• East Asian architectural designs often feature sweeping roofs because they symbolize protection from the elements and ward off evil spirits
• East Asian temples and houses have rhythmically arranged sweeping roofs
• Common types of roofs in Chinese architecture include
  • Straight inclined
  • Multi-inclines
  • Sweeping

East Asian Crafts, Body Ornamentations, and Accessories

• Peking Opera face painting uses specific colors to convey different characteristics:
  • Red: positive character, prosperity, loyalty, courage, intelligence, heroism
  • Violet: justice, sophistication
  • Black: neutrality, impartiality, integrity
  • Blue: neutrality, astuteness
  • Green: violent, impulsive, lacks restraint
  • Yellow: cruel, ambitious, sly
  • White: evil, hypocritical
  • Gold and Silver: god, demon, ghost, spirit
• Kabuki or Kesho is a face painting art that reveals the performer’s role through facial features.
• Kumadori face painting uses specific colors to convey different qualities:
  • Dark red: passion, wrath, fierceness
  • Dark blue: sadness, depression
  • Light green: tranquility, peacefulness
  • Pink: youth
  • Black: fright, anxiety, fear
  • Purple: dignity, nobleness
  • Gray and Brown: inhuman, demonic, monstrous
• Korean masks use intense and vivacious black, red, and white colors to determine the age and race of the figure
• Specific color combinations in Korean masks can indicate the character's background:
  • Half red and half white: the character has two fathers, Mr. Red and Mr. White
  • Dark-faced mask: the wearer was born of an adulterous mother

East Asian Crafts and Paper Sculptures

• Chinese kites were first created in Weifang, Shandong during the Song dynasty (920-1279)
• Weifang was known as “China’s Capital City of Kites” during the Song dynasty (920-1279) and the Ming dynasty (1368-1644)