#japaneseart
It is precisely the act of pushing against limits, stretching them, bending them, playing with them, which leads to interesting artistic expression.
In other words, in order to push boundaries, there have to be boundaries there in the first place.
This is very true of Japanese calligraphy. As an artform it is incredibly restrictive. The boundaries are clear and unequivocal… so it’s all the more impressive when a calligraphy artist successfully transcends the boundaries, expressing Japanese characters in a unique and moving way.
Bushido is the ancient moral code of the samurai. It includes: Righteousness, Courage, Compassion, Respect, Honesty, Honour, Duty, Self-Control.
Its influence on Japanese society continues today in areas such as the Japanese military, and in business communication.
This yo-ji-juku-go (4-character idiom) comes from an ancient Chinese poem and refers to a situation in which people have hidden talents.
“Iki” is a Japanese aesthetic ideal. It refers to subtle elegance and sophistication.
One of the aspects of iki is caring about the sensibilities of others. What you wear should make others feel comfortable, and wearing stylish clothing is a way of respecting those around you.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t wear what you want, but neither does it mean that you can’t think about how your appearance affects others. Iki is somewhere in between.
“the bittersweet realization of the ephemeral nature of all things”
睦月 (Mutsuki) “January"This is the old Japanese name for "January”. “Mu”(睦) means “good relationships”, especially among family members. On New Year’s Day families often stay close and spend time together.
New Acquisition: A Golden Tea Bowl
One of our most recent acquisitions at the Museum is this beautiful golden tea bowl by Japanese artist Ogawa Machiko (b. 1946).
Clare Pollard, our curator of Japanese Art, writes: ‘Ogawa’s work is characterised by the raw intensity of its materials. Many of her ceramics resemble strange and wonderful mineral formations or archaeological artefacts that have just been excavated from the earth. Even this carefully crafted bowl retains an elemental quality, as if scooped out of raw clay. The earthy cracks and deep fissures of the roughly textured exterior contrast with the creamy-smooth, matte gold flow of the interior, creating an intriguing, powerful dynamic between interior and exterior space. This one small tea bowl encompasses a whole spectrum of moods.’
Our recent Ashmolean Members’ Magazine featured an article on this object and the artist behind it. Become a Member for access to these magazines, as well as a host of other benefits and perks.