Japan Spirit and Form #3
Published on Oct 26, 2014
#3: Discovery of the “Pure Land”
This episode looks at the Kamakura Period of Japanese history (12th-14th
centuries) and the ways Buddhism of the time influenced so much of the
art of the period, particularly statues of Buddha, statues of prominent
monks, painted scenes reflecting Buddhist beliefs, and a new kind of
portrait painting that emerged during that period. Temples in Japan that
are visited include: Todaiji, Jingoji, Higashi Honganji and
Sanjusangendo, with its rows of statues of Kannon. Monks referenced
include Chogen, Zendo Daishi, Ikkyu Sojun and Shinran. We see
contemporary artists at work, including Shiko Munakata, a woodblock
artist. Shuichi Kato comments from time to time and points out the
influence of Japanese monk portraits on a much later school of European
artists, most notably Vincent Van Gogh. Ashley Thom provides the English
narration. Akira Mitake composed the music. This series is an NHK
production from 1989.
No comments:
Post a Comment