11.1 Momoyama period: Castles and decorative arts

The Momoyama period saw a boom in castle building and decorative arts. Powerful warlords commissioned grand fortresses with lavish interiors, showcasing their wealth and power. These castles blended defensive features with stunning aesthetics, setting new standards for architecture.

Alongside castles, decorative arts flourished. Painters created bold, large-scale works for castle walls. Ceramics and lacquerware reached new heights of innovation. The tea ceremony's influence led to a focus on simplicity and natural beauty in many art forms.

Momoyama Castle Architecture

Structural Features and Design

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• Momoyama period castles built during late 16th to early 17th centuries characterized by imposing stone foundations and multi-tiered wooden superstructures
• Tenshu (main keep) featured multiple stories with distinctive curved roofs and ornate ridge-end tiles (shachihoko)
• Castle layout incorporated gardens and tea houses integrating aesthetic and functional spaces within fortified complex
• Defensive features included ishigaki (stone walls), koguchi (gates), and shooting holes for firearms adapting to introduction of Western weaponry
• Stone foundations provided stability and fire resistance while wooden superstructures allowed for flexibility and easier repairs

Interior Decoration and Aesthetics

• Castle interiors lavishly decorated with painted sliding doors (fusuma) and folding screens (byōbu) often depicting scenes of nature or historical events
• Use of gold leaf in interiors became prevalent reflecting wealth and power of daimyo commissioners
• Fusuma paintings often created by renowned artists from Kano school showcasing mastery of large-scale compositions
• Decorative elements included intricate wood carvings, metalwork, and ceramic tiles adding to overall opulence

Notable Examples and Variations

• Himeji Castle exemplifies classic Momoyama castle architecture with its elegant white exterior and complex defensive layout
• Osaka Castle features massive stone walls and a distinctive five-story main keep demonstrating power of Toyotomi clan
• Nijō Castle known for its elaborate interior decorations and nightingale floors designed for security
• Regional variations in castle design reflected local resources and defensive needs (coastal vs inland fortifications)

Momoyama Decorative Arts

Painting and Visual Arts

• Kano school painters developed monumental style adorning castle walls and sliding doors with dramatic landscapes and nature scenes
• Kano Eitoku pioneered large-scale compositions using gold leaf backgrounds and bold brushwork
• Rimpa school founded by Hon'ami Kōetsu and Tawaraya Sōtatsu known for stylized nature motifs and use of gold and silver leaf
• Emergence of genre painting depicting scenes of daily life and urban culture (Rakuchū-rakugai-zu)

Ceramics and Lacquerware

• Ceramics underwent significant innovation including refinement of tea ceremony wares and emergence of new styles
• Oribe ware known for irregular shapes and bold green glazes often featuring abstract designs
• Lacquerware techniques reached new heights with development of makie (sprinkled picture) and raden (mother-of-pearl inlay)
• Maki-e lacquer techniques included togidashi-maki-e (burnished design) and takamaki-e (raised design) creating depth and texture

Textiles and Metalwork

• Textile arts flourished with elaborate kosode (kimono precursor) designs featuring large-scale patterns and intricate embroidery
• Development of new dyeing techniques like yūzen allowed for more complex and colorful textile designs
• Metalwork particularly in sword fittings and armor displayed intricate designs and innovative techniques
• Tsuba (sword guards) became highly collectible art objects featuring intricate designs in various metals and alloys

Tea Ceremony Influence on Art

Aesthetic Principles and Philosophy

• Tea ceremony (chanoyu) became central cultural practice profoundly influencing artistic production and aesthetic values
• Wabi-sabi aesthetic emphasizing simplicity, imperfection, and transience gained prominence contrasting with opulence of other Momoyama styles
• Concept of "ichiza-konryū" (one-time gathering) influenced appreciation of unique handcrafted objects and value placed on individual artistic expression
• Tea masters like Sen no Rikyū played crucial role in shaping aesthetic principles of tea utensils, architecture, and garden design

Architectural and Spatial Design

• Development of tea rooms (chashitsu) led to innovations in architectural design
• Use of rustic materials and incorporation of asymmetry in tea room construction reflected wabi-sabi principles
• Creation of roji (tea garden) as transitional space between outside world and tea room emphasizing mindfulness and preparation
• Influence extended to broader architectural practices incorporating elements of simplicity and natural materials in residential design

Ceramics and Utensils

• Ceramic production greatly influenced by tea ceremony requirements leading to creation of distinctive styles
• Raku ware characterized by hand-molded forms and unique glazes became highly prized for tea bowls
• Shino ware featuring thick white glazes and iron oxide decorations gained popularity among tea practitioners
• Development of specialized utensils like chashaku (tea scoop) and chasen (tea whisk) as functional art objects

Patronage in Momoyama Art

Warlord and Daimyo Patronage

• Powerful warlords and daimyo such as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu served as major art patrons
• Commissioned grand architectural projects and decorative works reflecting wealth and power
• Patronage system encouraged creation of large-scale visually impressive artworks
• Competition among patrons resulted in rapid evolution of artistic styles and emergence of innovative approaches

Merchant and Tea Master Influence

• Merchant patrons particularly those involved in foreign trade influenced incorporation of exotic materials and motifs
• Nanban art style emerged from interaction with European traders featuring blend of Japanese and Western elements
• Tea masters' patronage of specific artists and craftsmen led to development and popularization of new artistic styles and techniques
• Emergence of merchant connoisseurs and collectors contributed to diversification of artistic tastes

Institutional and Religious Patronage

• System of alternate attendance (sankin-kōtai) established by Tokugawa shogunate created demand for portable luxury goods
• Religious institutions while less prominent than in previous periods continued to play role in artistic patronage
• Buddhist temples commissioned sculptures and paintings for devotional and didactic purposes
• Zen monasteries particularly influential in development of ink painting and calligraphy