🗾East Asian Art and Architecture Unit 17 – Meiji Era: Modernizing Japanese Art

Historical Context

• Meiji period (1868-1912) marked a significant shift in Japanese history as the country transitioned from feudalism to modernization
• Began with the restoration of imperial rule under Emperor Meiji and the end of the Tokugawa shogunate
• Rapid industrialization and Westernization efforts aimed to strengthen Japan's position in the global arena
• Adoption of Western technologies, educational systems, and cultural practices to catch up with the Western powers
• Opening of Japan to foreign trade and diplomacy after centuries of isolation (sakoku) during the Edo period
• Reforms in various sectors, including politics, economy, military, and social structure, to create a modern nation-state
• Rise of nationalism and the promotion of "civilization and enlightenment" (bunmei kaika) as key goals of the Meiji government

Key Figures and Movements

• Emperor Meiji, the figurehead of the Meiji Restoration, symbolized the new era of modernization and progress
• Okakura Kakuzō (Tenshin), an influential art critic and historian, promoted traditional Japanese art while engaging with Western ideas
  • Founded the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and the Japan Art Institute to preserve and promote traditional arts
• Fenollosa Ernest, an American art historian, played a crucial role in the appreciation and preservation of traditional Japanese art
  • Worked closely with Okakura Kakuzō to establish art education institutions and promote Japanese art internationally
• Yōga (Western-style) artists, such as Kuroda Seiki and Asai Chū, studied Western art techniques and incorporated them into their works
• Nihonga (Japanese-style) artists, like Yokoyama Taikan and Hishida Shunsō, sought to revitalize traditional Japanese painting while adapting to modern sensibilities
• Shin-hanga (new prints) movement, led by publishers like Watanabe Shōzaburō, revived ukiyo-e printmaking with a focus on landscapes, beauties, and actors

Traditional vs. Western Influences

• Meiji era witnessed a complex interplay between traditional Japanese art forms and Western artistic influences
• Western-style painting (yōga) gained popularity as artists studied and adopted European techniques, such as oil painting and linear perspective
  • Yōga artists often depicted Western subjects, such as landscapes and portraits, while incorporating Japanese aesthetics
• Traditional Japanese-style painting (nihonga) underwent a revival and modernization process
  • Nihonga artists maintained traditional techniques and materials (ink, pigments, silk, paper) while exploring new compositions and themes
• Western influence on Japanese architecture led to the construction of buildings in styles like Neo-Classical, Gothic Revival, and Renaissance Revival
  • Example: The Tokyo Station, designed by Tatsuno Kingo, showcased a fusion of Western and Japanese architectural elements
• Japanese crafts, such as ceramics, lacquerware, and textiles, adapted to Western tastes and markets while preserving traditional techniques
• Debate and tension between preserving traditional arts and embracing Western influences characterized the Meiji art world

New Artistic Techniques and Media

• Introduction of oil painting as a new medium, which allowed for greater color range, depth, and realism compared to traditional water-based pigments
• Adoption of linear perspective and chiaroscuro (light and shadow) techniques in painting to create a sense of depth and volume
• Use of photography as a new art form and tool for documentation, portraiture, and artistic expression
  • Influences from Western photography on composition and subject matter in Japanese visual arts
• Experimentation with Western printing techniques, such as lithography and etching, alongside traditional woodblock printing (ukiyo-e)
• Incorporation of Western materials, such as canvas and oil paints, in Japanese-style paintings (nihonga) to create new visual effects
• Development of sculpture in Western styles, including bronze casting and marble carving, alongside traditional wood and ceramic sculptures
• Adaptation of Western musical instruments, such as the piano and violin, and the introduction of Western-style music education and composition

Themes and Subjects in Meiji Art

• Landscape paintings depicting famous Japanese sites and natural beauty, often influenced by Western landscape painting traditions
  • Example: Kuroda Seiki's "Lakeside" (1897), which showcases the influence of French Impressionism
• Portraits of notable figures, including the Emperor Meiji, political leaders, and cultural icons, in both Western and Japanese styles
• Genre scenes capturing everyday life, social changes, and modernization in Japan, such as the introduction of Western clothing and customs
• Historical and mythological subjects reinterpreted through a modern lens, reflecting a renewed interest in Japanese heritage and identity
• War and military themes, particularly during the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), celebrating Japan's victories and rising nationalism
• Bijin-ga (beautiful women) and actor portraits in ukiyo-e prints, reflecting the continued popularity of traditional subjects in a modernizing society
• Industrial and technological advancements, such as railways, factories, and steamships, as symbols of Japan's modernization and progress

Impact on Japanese Society and Culture

• Meiji art played a significant role in shaping national identity and promoting a sense of unity during a period of rapid change
• Art education institutions, such as the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, trained a new generation of artists and helped establish art as a respected profession
• Exhibitions, such as the government-sponsored Naikoku Kaiga Kyōshinkai (National Painting Competition), provided platforms for artists to showcase their work and engage with the public
• The popularization of Western-style art and architecture influenced fashion, interior design, and consumer culture, as people sought to adopt a modern lifestyle
• Ukiyo-e prints, particularly those of the shin-hanga movement, became popular souvenirs among Western visitors, contributing to the global fascination with Japanese art and culture
• The preservation and promotion of traditional arts, such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and noh theater, helped maintain cultural continuity amidst modernization
• Meiji art reflected and documented the social, political, and cultural changes occurring in Japanese society, serving as a visual record of the era

Global Reception and Influence

• Meiji art played a crucial role in introducing Japanese aesthetics and cultural traditions to the Western world
• Participation in international exhibitions, such as the Paris Exposition Universelle (1900), showcased Japanese art to a global audience
  • Japanese pavilions and art displays at these exhibitions attracted widespread attention and admiration
• Western artists, particularly those associated with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, were inspired by Japanese art, leading to the phenomenon of Japonisme
  • Examples: Vincent van Gogh's incorporation of ukiyo-e elements in his paintings, and Claude Monet's collection of Japanese prints
• Japonisme influenced various artistic fields, including painting, printmaking, decorative arts, and graphic design in Europe and North America
• Japanese art and aesthetics contributed to the development of new artistic movements, such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco, which emphasized organic forms and decorative motifs
• The global popularity of Japanese art led to increased trade and cultural exchange between Japan and Western countries
• Meiji art helped challenge Western perceptions of Japan as a primitive or exotic nation, presenting a more nuanced and sophisticated image of Japanese culture

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• Meiji art laid the foundation for the development of modern and contemporary Japanese art, which continues to evolve and innovate
• The legacy of Meiji art can be seen in the works of later artists, such as Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama, who combine traditional Japanese elements with contemporary global influences
• Art institutions established during the Meiji era, such as the Tokyo National Museum and the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, continue to preserve and promote Japanese art heritage
• The global influence of Meiji art paved the way for the international recognition and appreciation of Japanese art and culture in the 20th and 21st centuries
• Meiji art serves as a valuable resource for understanding the complex dynamics of modernization, cultural exchange, and national identity formation in Japan
• Contemporary exhibitions and research on Meiji art contribute to ongoing discussions about the role of tradition and innovation in Japanese art and society
• The study of Meiji art offers insights into the broader historical, social, and cultural contexts of Japan's modernization and its impact on the global art world