This talk offers a survey of Japanese art, from the earliest known pottery in the world to prints that revolutionised Western aesthetics, in comparison with Western examples. There are interesting parallels with Europe (prehistoric stone circles, sacred images, illustrated manuscripts) but above all fascinating contrasts revealing the special nature of Japanese art (wood and paper vs stone architecture, diverging vs converging perspective, abstract or decorative design vs illusionistic realism).
While covering the long history of creativity in Japan, much of the content of this talk inevitably concentrates on the Edo period and therefore the development of Japanese art and mutual influences in the period celebrated by Japan400. As Japan400 also seeks to do, it shows that Japan was not a remote culture cut off from the rest of the world, but one which was ready to embrace a variety of influences and gave much in return.
This talk has been hosted by the Japan Society, Southern Counties and supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.