In the middle of the VI century of the Christian era, Buddhism was
introduced into Japan by way of Korea. Through the vehicle of this new
religion, Chinese art began to exert a fructifying influence upon the
native art of Japan, which up to this time had achieved nothing worthy of
mention. Chinese influence continued in succeeding ages a potent factor
in the development of Japanese art. In the art of the Suiko (552-644),
Hakuho (645-709), Tempyo (710-793), Jogan (794-899), and Fujiwara
(900-1190) periods, the inspiration was largely Chinese, but more and more
the native genius manifested itself in modifications of the spirit and
technique. This evolution toward a distinctive national art and culture
made considerable advances in the Fujiwara period, which ended in social
revolution and the establishment of a military vice-royalty at Kamakura.
The Kamakura period (1190-1337) is the feudal era of Japan. The spirit of
individualism and hero-worship which distinguishes this age brought about
a great development in portraiture, even the gods assuming a more
individualized character. Battle scenes and the achievements of famous
warriors and heroes were popular subjects. To overawe the populace,
religious artists for the first time pictured the horrors of hell.
Forceful delineation and the vigorous expression of action are
characteristic of Kamakura art.
Zenism, a metaphysical doctrine introduced from China to Japan in the
Kamakura period, had a very great influence in the succeeding Ashikaga
period (1337-1582) in shaping the course of art. The Zen sect of
Buddhism, discarding ritual, sought salvation through self-concentration
and meditation. Subjective idealism and the search of the inner spirit of
things, fostered by Zenism, led the Ashikaga artists to practice a
rigorous economy of means, eliminating color in general and all details
not essential to the expression of the artist’s idea. The search for the
hidden beauty in all things was not confined to the major arts but led to
the beautification of the humblest household utensils. In the
ornamentation of sword guards the metal workers showed extraordinary
ability. The Ashikaga era ended in turmoil. In 1582 Toyotomi Hideyoshi,
a man of the humblest origin, brought order out of chaos, and became
virtual ruler over a unified Japan.
[Winter, Six-fold Screen, by Yeitoku, 1543-1590]