...and continue your exploration of Japanese art with the Berger Foundation's  "World Art Treasures."

JOMON PERIOD, HANIWA, CHAKRA, MANDALA, JOINED WOOD SCULPTURE, ASYMMETRICAL CALLIGRAPHY, GOLD LEAF.

a. Examine early Japanese artistic development, especially the pottery of the Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun periods.  See pages 207-210.
b. How does the Shinto shrine display pre-Buddhist love for natural simplicity and purity?  See image and inset on page 211.
c. Described as the "oldest wooden building in history," the Horyuji kondo (see page 212) departs from Chinese pagodas in what ways? What other ways does Buddhism influence the art of Japan?
d. What type of painting is influenced  by the Japanese courts?  See the inset on page 217.  What is hiragana and why is it important to Japanese court artistic styles?
e. What is the main influence on painting in the Kamakura period and how is the painting different from the past?  See pages 218-220 and the inset on page 219.

a.  View the Jomon vessel from the Nagano Prefecture shown on page 208.
b.  Haniwa warrior figure  See page 210.
c.  Shaka Triad by Tori Busshi, Page 212.
d.  Phoenix Hall, Byodoin, Uji, Page 216.
e.  Scene from the Tale of Genji, Page 217.
f.  Detail from Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace, Page 220.

a. Read about women potters in the Jomon period!

b. Explore the collection of Japanese art at the Kimbell Art Museum.  Click on 'collections,' then on 'Asian Art.'

c.  Examine the "Masterpieces of Japanese Art from the Mary Griggs Burke Collection" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

d. Visit Uji City, the city associated with the Tale of Genji, and visit other cities of the Kansai province.