JAPANESE ART IN THE CITY
An ongoing exhibition in Bangkok to celebrate the 130th anniversary of official Thai-Japanese ties is one of the most comprehensive outside Nippon
An extraordinary display of ancient artefacts from Japan, including many items deemed national cultural heritage, is taking place at the National Museum Bangkok. From pre-Christ earthenware to classical fabric, from Buddhism to samurai, “The History Of Japanese Art: Life And Faith” manifests the grandeur and depth of history, and welcomes visitors until Feb 18.
The show, said Fine Arts Department director-general Anandha Chuchoti, is part of the celebration of the 130 years of official amity between Thailand and Japan, from 2017.
“Thailand and the government of Japan have always had cultural exchange with each other. Last year, 116 antiques and art objects from Thailand were displayed at the special exhibition ‘Thailand: Brilliant Land Of The Buddha’ at Kyushu National Museum and Tokyo National Museum. [Now we have] 106 antiques and art objects from Japan presented at the Siwamokkhaphiman Hall, the National Museum Bangkok.”
In its entirety, the ongoing exhibition narrates the beginning of Japanese art and culture — Buddhism, aristocrats, samurai, Zen, tea ceremonies and cultural diversity — during the Edo era. Highlights include a flame-shaped piece of pottery and bronze bell dating to the prehistoric period, a baked-clay Dogu figurine of the Jomon era, and a statue of the standing Amitabha Buddha and two attendants dating to the Kamakura period.
Phnombootra Chandrajoti, director of the Office of National Museums, said: “Japan has lent us an array of artefacts ranging from those of the prehistoric period to those of Dogu 4,500 years ago and those of 800-1,000 years ago. Japan had never allowed anyone to borrow so many things before. One of the must-sees is the statue of the newborn Lord Buddha.”
Meanwhile, both exhibitions in Japan had the objectives to introduce Thai art and cultural heritage to the Japanese and international audience. They were very successful and attracted 150,000 visitors.
Zeniya Masami, executive director of the Tokyo National Museum, said the exhibition utilises archaeological objects, paintings, sculptures, decorative art and calligraphic works to portray the story of Japanese culture from the Jomon period to the Edo period. Among the 106 objects on display, three are officially registered as National Treasures and 25 as Important Cultural Properties. In 2011, Bangkok hosted an exhibition that focused on Buddhist art from Thailand and Japan, as well as cultural exchanges between the two countries. Today’s exhibition goes one step further, said Masami, by presenting the entire history of Japanese art.
According to the Fine Arts Department book The History Of Japanese Art: Life And Faith, the exhibition records the history and development of Japanese art from prehistoric times to the Edo period. It is divided into five topics: “The Dawn Of Japanese Art”, “Buddhist Art”, “The Court Aristocracy And The Samurai”, “Zen And The Tea Ceremony” and “The Multifaceted Edo Culture”. The objects on display are based on the lifestyles, beliefs and faiths of various regions
“The Dawn Of Japanese Art” section depicts the beginning of artworks during prehistoric times in the Japanese archipelago before the spread of Buddhism from China and the Korean peninsula. Human beings first appeared in Japan about 400,000 years ago, from the Ice Age to the upper Palaeolithic era. A few ornaments and line-incised stones from this period were found. Human settlement was better-represented by stoneware used as cutting tools.
The invention of earthenware occurred in the Jomon Period (11,000-400 BC). A masterpiece that shows a focus on decorativeness more than practicality is a flame-shaped earthenware vessel of the mid-Jomon period. The vessel dates to about 4,500 years ago and was found in Tsunan town, Niigata Prefecture. It is considered a superlative work of formative art and a pinnacle of global prehistoric earthenware.
The Yayoi period, from the 4th century BC to around 300 AD, marked the arrival of wetrice farming and metalware. Yayoi earthenware is in fixed forms and shapes according to usage, such as pots for cooking, jars for storage and footed stands for serving. Metal objects were used as weapons and farming tools. Weapon-shaped bronze objects, including spears, swords and halberds, as well as Dotaku bell-shaped bronze items, became ceremonial objects.
What Thai viewers will best relate to is the “Buddhist Art” section, which portrays the glory of Buddhism and the evolution of Buddhist art in Japan. The reign of Emperor Kinmei in the middle of the 6th century is believed to mark the arrival of Buddhism in Japan. Bronze Buddha statues, ritual banners and Buddhist scriptures were brought to Japan from Korea.
In the Heian era, Buddhist art flourished with the creation of many fine art works, influenced by mainland Chinese art until the 9th century. After that, a Japanese aesthetic style emerged, leading to the arrival of a more serene style in the 11th century. The Japanese nobility had strong faith in the Lotus Sutra, which involves the salvation of humans. This came from a belief that it was possible to accumulate good deeds through the creation of Buddhist paintings, statues and sutras. New Buddhism, which preached doctrines aimed at the general population, developed in Japan during the Kamakura period. Then Zen Buddhism from China arrived. The themes and forms of Buddhist art became more diverse and realistic.
Touching on historic, aesthetic and archaeological aspects, the exhibition encompasses Japan’s formation of culture through the ages. Besides the Buddhist section, it features the “Court Aristocracy” and “Samurai” sections, featuring the history of the creation and invention of art and culture in Japan under the political power of the nobility and warrior classes. Meanwhile, the “Zen And The Tea Ceremony” section portrays the history of the tea ceremony based on Zen belief in Japan — a combination of faith, culture and aesthetics. Lastly, “The Multifaceted Edo Culture” section depicts various kinds of art and culture from the period by commoners who lived in the town of Edo.
The artefacts in the exhibition also narrate how Japan built up national strength while receiving influence from China’s Sui and Tang dynasties during the Asuka and Nara periods, then how it was ruled by the emperor system, which saw battles for political power between the court aristocracy and the samurai.
The biggest symbol of the new national culture was the kana writing system, leading to sophisticated literature, motifs, calligraphy, paintings and crafts. The cultures became richer and mature with the influence of Chinese culture during the Nanbokucho and Muromachi periods. There came a large collection of calligraphy, paintings and crafts gathered by the Ashikaga shogunate. Tea, flowers and monochrome ink paintings were cherished at Zen Buddhist temples, leading to unique traditions like the tea ceremony and flower arrangements. The way of tea and the performing arts, like Noh and Kyogen, remain strong as symbols of Japanese culture.
“You won’t have to fly to Japan to see all of this,” Phnombootra concluded.
Call the National Museum Bangkok at 02-224-1333.