Growth of Japanese Culture
Distinctive Japanese Arts- Summarized by Libby Nunan
Japanese Art Forms
Japanese culture mainly focused on the love of natural beauty and simplicity. They expressed it with gardening, flower arranging, calligraphy, and painting. Buddhism had much effect on the art forms by promoting simplicity, and Shinto promoted the love of natural beauty.
Calligraphy
Japanese calligraphy is created with brush strokes. They use black ink because it is simple, and Zen Buddhism promotes simplicity. This is a common art form.
Painting
Japanese paintings were mostly landscapes, historical events, and everyday life in Japan.
Gardening
The Japanese loved to garden. They specifically trimmed and planted trees, flowers, shrubs, and other plants so that people could enjoy the natural beauty of it. They also had zen gardens, where sand and rocks (sparsely scattered) were lain.
Flower Arranging
Japanese people frequently arrange flowers in a way that is simple ( a.k.a zen) and beautiful. The Buddhists brought this tradition to Japan. Bonsai is a Japanese tradition where you grow miniature trees or shrubs in trays or pots. A Bonsai tree was pictured at the top.
Easy Japanese Maple Bonsai.