I’m working on a art writing question and need a sample draft to help me study.
The influence of Shinto and Buddhism, especially Zen, on Japanese art can often be seen in the interest in the imperfect, the incomplete, and the transient (impermanent). Choose ONE of the works of art listed below and analyze how these qualities are reflected in the work. Consider both content and style.
- Hungry Tigress panel from the Tamamushi Shrine, Asuka, c. 650
- Scene from the “Minori” (“The Rites”) chapter of The Tale of Genji, Heian, 12th century
- Rock Garden at Ryoan-ji, Kyoto, Muromachi, c. 1480
- Sen no Rikyu, Taian Tea House, Kyoto, Momoyama, 1582
- Suzuki Harunobu, Flowers of Beauty in the Floating World, Edo, 1769
- Katsushika Hokusai, The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, Edo, 1831
- Katsushika Oi, Yoshiwara at Night, Edo, c. 1850s
Each of these works reflects imperfection, incompleteness, and transience to differing degrees so it is ok if your essay focuses more on one quality than the others.
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