South, East and Southeast Asia
300 BCE- 1980 CE
TOPIC 8.4 Theories and Interpretations of South, East, and Southeast Asian Art
South, East, and Southeast Asia developed many artistic and architectural traditions that are deeply rooted in Asian aesthetics and cultural practices. Asian arts and architecture reveal exchanges of knowledge in visual style, form, and technology with traditions farther west.
GrecoRoman Connections
Early connections with the GrecoRoman world are evident in the Hellenistic-influenced artistic style and subjects found in artwork associated with ancient Gandharan culture in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Early Buddha sculptures in north India, China, and Japan wear a two-shouldered robe based on the Roman toga.
Islamic Influence
South and Southeast Asia had early contact with Islam through trade. In western India, contact was achieved through military campaigns. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Islamic sultanates arose in these lands, creating another layer of cultural practices and interactions. This influenced Asian visual culture through the importation and creation of new art forms and styles.
Innovations based on Islamic influence in these areas include the use of paper for manuscripts and paintings. It also includes the adoption of Mughal styles in Hindu court architecture, painting, and fashion.
European Adaptations
European influence is evident in the evolution of architectural styles, and in the adoption of naturalism and perspective in Asian painting traditions during the colonial era.
Sharing with West Asia and Europe
Asian art forms had great influence on the arts of West Asia and Europe. Art and ideas were exchanged through trade routes. The impact of Asian art is especially evident during times of free exchange. Import time frames include:
- The Silk Route during the Han and Tang dynasties and Mongol Empire.
- The colonial era.
- The opening of Japan for trade in the 19th century.
A Market for Collectors
In West Asia and Europe, collectors acquired Asian art works through gift or trade. Ceramics created in China, from Tang slipwares to highfire porcelains, have been coveted internationally for more than 1,000 years. The popularity of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain was so high that ceramic centers in Iran, Turkey, and across Europe developed local versions of blue-and-white ceramics to meet market demand.
Textiles are also an important Asian art form. So coveted these fabrics dominated much of the international trade between Europe and Asia. Silk and silk weaving originated in China, where it flourished for thousands of years. Cotton was first spun and woven in the Indus Valley region of Pakistan and was, like silk, important for international trade.
Comparisons in Cultures
Cross-cultural comparisons may be made most readily among the arts of South, East, and Southeast Asia and the arts of the ancient Mediterranean, medieval Europe, and West Asia.
(8) 207. Ryoan-ji (wet and dry gardens).
Japan (Muromachi Period). 1480 CE; current design likely 18th century. Japanese.
Learning Objective: Zen Buddhist garden
Themes:
Landscape
Religion
Architecture
Place of worship
Man v. nature
Status
Water
Ryoan-ji (wet and dry gardens) is a rock garden in Kyoto, Japan that measures 100 feet by 33 feet.
It has a rectangular plot of pebbles, surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. Rocks are encircled by white pebbles which are smooth river rock.
Spotlight on the Rocks
The rocks are in five groups with 15 rocks in total.
- 1 group of 5
- 2 groups of 3
- 2 groups of 2
The arrangement of rocks leads the viewers’ eyes from left to right. Balance is achieved by small groups which create a rhythm and overall sense of harmony.
Function
This is a Zen temple. It serves as a place of spiritual refreshment, contemplation, and rejuvenation. Since the elite practiced Zen Buddhism, this was a sign of status. It was used to incite meditation.
A Dry Garden
The dry garden was viewed from a temple deck as an exercise in enlightenment and acceptance. No matter what vantage point you have, you can only ever see 14 out of the 15 rocks. It is said that you can only see the 15th rock through attaining enlightenment.
The number 15 denotes completeness in Buddhism.
Buddhists maintain completeness is not possible.
If you TRULY accept that you can’t see the stone (that you cannot have completeness), then you become enlightened, and THEN you can see the 15th stone.
Visiting this dry garden is supposed to encourage meditation. It is a place of contemplation and meditative practice for monks who rake the rocks daily into different patterns.
The lesson is that you can work very hard at something – and you should – but that it will be gone the next day. This doesn’t mean that we should work less hard but rather appreciate things while we do them and accept that they will end or disappear.
A Wet Garden
© John Lander Photography
A wet garden is an Immersive and natural experience. Meditation and contemplation encouraged through strolling around the garden. The sound of the water and birds is meant to be calming.
This reveals the deep respect the Japanese have for the natural world, and the belief that lessons and enlightenment can be learned/attained through the natural world.
Content
This is Zen Buddhist complex and gardens.
Ryoan-ji means peaceful dragon.
A Visual of the Wet Garden
The wet garden has two small islands in lake. There is a small shrine on one of the small islands in the lake. It can be accessed through a bridge. This is a shrine to the Shinto goddess of luck.
Cherry trees abound on the island. The pond that attracts water birds.
A Visual of the Dry Garden
The dry garden is carefully raked each day by the Buddhist monks. These meticulous arrangements of rocks and pebbles are circled around each rock formation in particular patterns. It is unclear if these patterns have a particular meaning.
In 2002, a research team at Kyoto University claimed that the garden’s rocks, when viewed from the proper angle, subconsciously evoked the outline of a branching tree.
Other theories:
- A tigress escorting her cubs across the snow
- The Chinese character for “heart” or “mind”
The Influence of Zen Buddhist Principles
- Restraint, simplicity, and honesty are held in esteem
- Meditation
- Immersion in nature (gardens)
Context
Ryoan-ji was originally a Fujiwara aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period. Later, a powerful warlord captured the villa and converted it to a Zen Buddhist temple in 1450 CE.
This was constructed for the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism that came from China in 1191 CE
Zen gardens are a principal concept of Zen Buddhism, which was a type of Buddhism that the elite practiced because it required ample time in the day for meditation, gardening, tea-drinking