Abstract.
Buddhism is considered the most important religion in Oriental Asia. Developed from Indian roots, it has affected culture, politics, philosophy and even standards of living for the past two thousand years in two significant countries of Oriental Asia: China and Japan.
As the major religion in both countries, Buddhism is very similar in China and Japan. Buddhists from both countries prefer to express their feelings and thoughts through art. However, despite this similarity, the two cultures differ greatly in their artistic expression of beliefs within Buddhism. Chinese Buddhist art and Japanese Buddhist art are distinct in how they convey their religious ideals through artistic means.
This paper aims to explore the origins of Buddhist art in China and Japan. It will focus on the differences between these two art forms while also illustrating the artistic connections between both countries.
Chinese Buddhist art
Origin and Establishment
Buddhism was introduced in China during the Later Han Dynasty. It is also said that Buddhism arrived in China before A.D 100, during the reign of Han rulers. By 300 A.D, Buddhism had spread throughout the country. Under the Han dynasty, China became the center of power in Asia and grew to become as powerful and large as the Roman Empire. During this time, China was also influenced by other religions such as Confucianism and Taoism.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist Art
The impact of these two powerful religions also influenced Buddhism in China, resulting in the development of various varieties of Buddhism in the nation.
These different varieties encompass strict moral standards and ideals of rebirth and life after death, which are taught in these religions. The concept of worshipping more than one God is present in these religions, and Chinese Buddhism was greatly influenced by such concepts. This is the reason why Buddhists from China worship many gods, leading to the bloom of assorted types of arts. The relevant history of the nation has also influenced the expression of belief, which is highly visible in their artistic skills.
During the fifth and sixth centuries, the Northern Dynasties began to develop Buddhist art. This art was highly symbolic and conceptual in its depiction of Buddhist culture, which differed greatly from the earlier forms of Buddhist art. The early forms were intended to express enlightenment ideals in a realistic manner, resulting in a form of naturalistic and realistic art that flourished into Tang Buddhist art.
Under the Tang dynasty, Buddhist sculpture became more graceful than its earlier forms. The Tang dynasty was open to adapting foreign trade and other genres of art and culture. To gain a deeper understanding of this rich form of art, many Chinese Buddhist monks would travel to India.
The presence of Indian art also influenced Chinese art. Near the end of the Tang reign in China, one of the last emperors, Wuzong, had forbidden all religions other than Taoism.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist art
In ancient China, Buddhist art faced suppression as the rulers impounded all Buddhist gods and forced Buddhists to adapt Taoism or go underground to continue their art. Despite this, Buddhism regained its popularity in the country, which helped China become home to one of the largest arrays of Buddhist art around the globe. This can be seen in numerous scripture-filled Chinese caves that are a pulsating attraction for art-lovers from all around the planet. The Longmen Grottoes and Dazu Stone cravings are prominent examples of the richness of Chinese sculptural art. Moreover, China is home to some of the largest Buddha statues in the world; one such gigantic Buddha statue is made by carving out a mountain.
Chinese painting is one of the most affluent painting arts in the world. It is present in its most prosperous form at the birthplace of printing machines and paper. Illustrations of Chinese paintings can be found in old caves throughout the nation, chiefly in 492 caves of Dunhuang. These caves contain an assortment of frescos (wall-painting) and stucco statues. The entire area covered by frescos measures 45,000 square meters, while the quantity of stucco statues is not less than 2,415. It is said that these stucco statues and frescoes were made during the ‘golden age’ of Chinese history, considered as the most notable period in the development of Chinese art and culture that began in seventh century and ended in ninth century.
Founded by Buddhist monks, this cave preserves diverse Chinese art. The frescoes present pictures of flying fairies that denote freedom, kindness, and happiness. These wall-paintings also showcase Indian influence on Chinese art and culture which developed a new artistic style known as ‘Chinese Buddhist art’.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist art
5
Japanese Buddhist art
Origin and Establishments
Japan is known as the largest Buddhist country in the world. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century when Buddhist monks from China and India traveled to Japanese Islands with their religious scriptures and art. This marked the establishment of Buddhism in Japan, which proved to be very influential. Many temples and monasteries were built in Japan soon after its introduction due to a warm welcome.
The Japanese government also supported religion and tried to expand it throughout the nation to its fullest extent. Japanese Buddhist art was influenced by artwork from India, China, and Korea, resulting in a wonderful amalgamation of artistic skills that formed a distinctive style defined by its realism. Japanese Buddhist art flourished primarily between the 8th and 13th centuries, known as the booming phase of Japanese Buddhist art. This art focused mainly on representing Buddhist deities combined with influences from Hinduism and Shintoism on Buddhism.
Zen art is considered another development in Japanese Buddhist art. It is defined by original paintings and poetry, and it attempts to express the real essence of the earth through generalized and non-dualistic representations.
The presence of 80,000 Buddhist temples reflects that Buddhism is still the most active religion in the country. Unlike Chinese Buddhist art, Japanese Buddhist art is a blend of many cultures.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist Art
The initiation of Buddhism in Japan was marked by the arrival of a bronze Buddhist sculpture. This event was encouraged by the crown prince of Taishi during the Suiko reign in 500 AD, which was in the sixth century. In the eighth century, Emperor Shomu of Nara dynasty further boosted Buddhism’s influence. However, it wasn’t until the Heian period that Buddhist art in Japan saw its foremost development. During this time, it greatly influenced traditional Shinto arts and eventually submerged them. Buddhist art became popular among high-class society and exhibited unique architecture and painting styles.
The Amida sect of Japanese Buddhist art provided the basis for many great artworks of its time. One notable example is the bronze Great Buddha at Kamakura. Many famous artists during this period were monks and saints.
According to Japanese history, Japanese Buddhist art has relied on forms and techniques imported from neighboring countries such as China and Korea. The artwork of the nation also has a major Indian influence, as Buddhist pagodas reflect tints of Indian architecture. Japanese Buddhist art captured the best form of Indian and Korean Buddhist arts.
In the thirteenth century, a new relationship between art and Buddhism developed in Japan. This led to the creation of some of the most exceptional artistic skills ever seen. During this era, the Kegon and Nichiren sects of Buddhist art flourished in the country, resulting in diverse types of painting being produced. One such type was Suijako painting, which attempted to combine the two main Japanese faiths by depicting Shinto deities in early manifestations of Buddha. Additionally, this period saw the creation of Eight aspects of Buddha’s life,” an illustration showcasing Buddhist art.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist Art
This great painting was created using color on silk and depicts the legend that Buddha was the son of Queen Maya. It also features a picture of a man kneeling before a village priest to pray. In Japan, the primary focus was on paintings and poetry, particularly Haiku poems, which were used to express old beliefs and thoughts through art.
The religion of Buddhism has had a significant impact on Japanese art throughout various periods of Japanese history. Buddhist pagodas, consisting of halls and five-story towers, have been constructed all over Japan, while gigantic sculptures of Buddha can be found throughout the nation. These structures serve as a testament to the pervasive influence of Buddhism in Japan.
Many artists portrayed Buddhist images, with the majority being Buddhist Lamas or priests. A popular form of Japanese Buddhist art is scroll painting, which depicts the lives of Buddha and bodhisattva saints, as well as pictures of priests and other religious symbols. Japanese Buddhist art was divided into different sects such as Amida, Zen, Heian Period, Fujiwara, Kamakura and Muromachi periods. Each sect developed its own unique style of Japanese Buddhist art and culture. The Japanese government made significant efforts to promote this art and culture which was heavily influenced by Hindu culture, Chinese Tang dynasty and Korean aspects of sculpture and painting. The focus of Japanese Buddhist art was mainly on God and spirits; this artistic skill is renowned for its proper Buddhist artistic style. Some sects during the development era made this art more impressionistic than other types of Buddhist art.
Japanese architecture also differs greatly due to the influence from various sects of Japanese Buddhist art.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist art
Conclusion.
Japanese Buddhist art and Chinese Buddhist art are considered the two most abundant arts in the world. Both arts represent and express beliefs and thoughts, but despite this similarity, they are very different from each other.
Check out the differences between Japanese and Chinese Buddhist art:
China was introduced to Buddhism in 100 AD, while Japan didn’t come to know about this religion until centuries after its arrival in China. Buddhism arrived in Japan around 500 AD, or the sixth century.
Buddhist art was introduced to China as a religious representation, originating from India. Chinese monks would often travel to India to learn more about Buddhism culture and Indian art, which they later adapted and developed into a new form of Buddhist art known as ‘Chinese Buddhist art’. This style was influenced by various local religions and dynasties throughout China. In contrast, the art introduced in Japan was not in its raw form but rather an improved version.
Buddhist art flourished in Japan during the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries. Initially, it focused on depicting Buddhist deities while also incorporating influences from Hindu and Shinto art. Shinto was the dominant religion in Japan prior to the arrival of Buddhism. The fusion of Hindu and Shinto art with Buddhist art gave rise to a new artistic style known as Japanese Buddhist art.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist art
In China, Buddhist art faced numerous problems. Near the end of the Tang Dynasty, the last emperor put restrictions on every foreign religion, including Buddhism. He forced Buddhist priests to either adopt Taoism or go underground to practice their own faiths. This period is considered the most critical in the history of Chinese Buddhist art.
Over time, Buddhist lamas worked in secret to preserve their great art through cave paintings and stucco statues. Today, these works can still be found in the 492 caves of Dunhuang, China.
However, Buddhism in Japan has never experienced a decline. The Japanese government has consistently supported it by sponsoring numerous Buddhist paintings and sculptures. Nearly every Japanese dynasty has promoted Buddhism and its artistic abilities, which is evident in the appearance of Japanese Buddhist art.
Japanese Buddhist art is divided into many sects, whereas Chinese art is not. The different sects of Japanese Buddhism have helped to develop unique forms of Buddhist art. For example, during the Heian dynasty, Buddhist art was advanced by incorporating elements from Hindu and Shinto cultures. The Fujiwara period saw an increase in ornate and decorative architectural styles, as well as the depiction of actual dates from Buddha’s life. The Amida sect produced some of the most beautiful artworks in Japanese history and is known for its famous scroll art. This sect flourished during the thirteenth century when the bronze Amida Buddha was created in 1252. Another influential sect in Japanese Buddhist art development was Zen.
Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Buddhist art
This period is defined as the time of paintings and poetry, which was the most prolific period for Buddhist art in Japan. The purpose of this art was to express the fundamental nature of earth through impressionistic and non-dualistic representations.
The limited enormity of such sects in Chinese Buddhist art was due to immense influence from Chinese culture. The first Chinese art from the northern dynasties was more abstract and less realistic compared to the Buddhist art forms present in central Asia at that time. Buddhism art in China was greatly influenced by Taoism and Confucianism, resulting in a blend of these religions that incorporated principles of rebirth and life after death into Buddhism. The nation’s art had grown up in accordance with these ideals.
However, Buddhism in Japan was free from such illustrations.
Chinese and Japanese Buddhist art both incorporated realism, but their styles were distinct. The Chinese emphasized sculpting and painting to express their beliefs, while the Japanese explored a wider range of artistic genres. In addition to visual art, Japanese Buddhism also encouraged poetry, particularly Haiku poems. The Japanese government even sponsored Buddhist art, whereas in China it was more conceptual in nature and did not receive such support. Although both forms of Buddhist art have been influential beyond their borders, the Chinese focused on wall paintings and sculptures while the Japanese favored poetry and scroll painting. Despite these differences, both are creative expressions of faith.
Reference:
1. www.associatedcontent.com
