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RELIGION
Ancient Indic Southeast Asia Dominated by earthly and cosmic realms of
existence Sought spiritual development, spiritual release, or
divine union via religious methodologies and social practices
Still some sites and beings as sacred Life and time = cyclic (i.e. reincarnation)
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
East Asia Interconnectedness of humans with both natural
and spirit world China – hierarchical and differentiated society that
encouraged appropriate social behaviors Daoism, Confucianism, eventually Buddhism when it
arrives
Korea – Influenced by China ∴ infused Confucian and Buddhist practices
Japan – Believed landscape alive and inhabited by animistic nature spirits Shinto belief 7th and 8th C – Buddhism arrived and succeeded
RELIGION & ART/ARCHITECTURE
Most architecture for religion Temples – House deities or shrines (constructed or
rock cut) Buddhist Pagodas Rock-cut caves contained Buddhist imagery, shrines,
stupas, and monastic spaces (From C. Asia to China) Japan – natural materials (wood); followed Chinese
models S. and SE Asia – Islamic architecture
Secular – forts and palaces Religious – mosques and tombs
Art Icon images in Hinduism and Buddhism Raigo scenes for Pure Land Buddhism
LONG TRADITIONS OF ART…
Reaching back to prehistoric times Developed around core areas Indus Valley,
Gangetic Plain, Yellow River Earliest known ceramic vessels found in Asia
Yuchanyan Cave in China – 18,300-17,500 BCE Jomon vessels in Japan – 10,500 BCE
Neolithic and Bronze Age civilization Indus Valley civilization (Pakistan and India) Longshan cultures and Shang Dynasty (China) Dongson culture (SE Asia) Yayoi and Kofun cultures (Japan)
MORE ART…
Stone and wood carving (esp. in architecture) Ceramic arts
High-fire porcelain Tang ceramics – blue and white porcelain coveted for
over 1000 years = Great gifts in Europe!
Metal work Sculpture, arms and armor, ritual vessels,
decoration Shang Dynasty bronze vessels
Textiles Silk and wool tapestry, cotton weaving, printing,
painting, and carpet weaving Cotton first spun and woven in Indus Valley of
Pakistan Silk in China
Painting Wall painting or manuscript/album painting India and E. Asia favored contour drawing or
forms India – regional styles dependent on mythical and
historical Japan and China – literati painting among educated
elite Reveal nonprofessional artists’ explorations of
landscape subjects juxtaposed with poetry Calligraphy = #1 in China; also in Islam
[architecture, decorative objects, and ceramic tiles]
SOCIAL
Home to foreign cultures Greco-Roman cultures, Christianity, and Islamic
cultures (India, Malaysia, and Indonesia) Greco-Roman Evident in Hellenistic influenced
art Ancient Gandharan culture (Afghanistan/Pakistan) Early Buddha sculptures seen wearing 2 shouldered
robe based on Roman Toga Islam
Spread through S. and SE Asia via military campaigns Use of paper for manuscripts and paintings Use of Mughal styles in Hindu court architecture,
painting, and fashion European influence – naturalism and perspective
2 major trade routes Silk Road – linked Europe and Asia
Han and Tang Dynasties and Mongol Empire, colonial era, and opening of Japan for trade in 19th Century
W. Asia and Europe – collectors acquired Asian art through gift or trade
Textiles Maritime networks that utilized monsoon winds
N. Africa, W. Asia, S. and SE Asia, S. China Transmission of cultural ideas/practices
i.e. Buddhism, artistic forms, media, and styles