2.2 Nihonga and the Preservation of Traditional Techniques

Nihonga emerged as a way to preserve traditional Japanese art during the Meiji period's rapid Westernization. Artists used traditional materials and techniques to create modern paintings that celebrated Japan's artistic heritage.

Nihonga stood in contrast to Yōga, Western-style painting that gained popularity in Japan. While some artists blended both styles, Nihonga remained a powerful symbol of cultural identity and national pride during modernization.

Nihonga: Traditional Art Preservation

Definition and Purpose

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• Nihonga is a term used to describe modern Japanese painting that incorporates traditional Japanese artistic conventions, techniques, and materials
• Nihonga artists aimed to preserve and revitalize traditional Japanese art in response to the influx of Western art and culture during the Meiji period (1868-1912)
  • The Meiji period marked a time of rapid modernization and Westernization in Japan
  • Nihonga emerged as a conscious effort to maintain and celebrate Japan's artistic heritage

Materials and Techniques

• Traditional materials used in Nihonga include mineral pigments, ink, and washi paper or silk
  • Mineral pigments are derived from natural sources such as rocks, shells, and corals, providing a unique color palette
  • Washi paper is handmade from plant fibers, offering a delicate and textured surface
• Techniques such as tarashikomi (wet-on-wet blending) and mokkotsu (line drawing) are employed to create distinctive visual effects
  • Tarashikomi involves applying a second layer of paint before the first layer has dried, resulting in soft, gradated colors
  • Mokkotsu uses varying line thicknesses and densities to define forms and create a sense of depth
• Nihonga often features subject matter drawn from nature (landscapes, flora, and fauna), classical literature (tales of the Genji), and Japanese folklore (mythical creatures and deities)

Institutional Support

• The Nihon Bijutsuin (Japan Art Institute) was established in 1898 to promote and preserve Nihonga
  • The institute provided training, exhibitions, and support for Nihonga artists
  • Notable Nihonga artists associated with the Nihon Bijutsuin include Yokoyama Taikan, Hishida Shunsō, and Shimomura Kanzan

Nihonga vs Western Art in Japan

Yōga: Western-Style Painting

• Yōga, or Western-style painting, emerged in Japan during the Meiji period as artists began to adopt Western techniques, materials, and subject matter
  • Yōga artists often used oil paints on canvas, a departure from traditional Japanese materials
  • Yōga introduced concepts such as linear perspective, shading, and realism to Japanese art
• Western-influenced art movements in Japan, such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, emphasized capturing light, color, and everyday scenes, while Nihonga focused on preserving traditional aesthetics and themes
  • Impressionist artists like Kuroda Seiki and Asai Chū brought a new focus on the effects of light and color to Japanese art
  • Post-Impressionist influences can be seen in the works of artists such as Yorozu Tetsugorō and Kishida Ryūsei

Blending Traditions

• Some artists, such as Yokoyama Taikan and Hishida Shunsō, blended elements of Nihonga and Western art to create a hybrid style
  • Yokoyama Taikan's later works incorporated a more Western-influenced approach to color and brushwork while retaining Nihonga themes and compositions
  • Hishida Shunsō experimented with combining Nihonga techniques with Western-style landscape painting
• The government-sponsored Bunten exhibition, established in 1907, featured both Nihonga and Yōga works, reflecting the coexistence of traditional and Western-influenced art in Japan
  • The Bunten provided a platform for artists to showcase their works and engage in artistic dialogue
  • The inclusion of both Nihonga and Yōga in the exhibition highlighted the diversity of artistic expression in modern Japan

Nihonga's Cultural Significance in Modernization

Asserting Cultural Identity

• The promotion of Nihonga was part of a broader effort to assert Japanese cultural identity in the face of rapid Westernization during the Meiji period
  • Japan sought to balance the adoption of Western technologies and ideas with the preservation of its cultural heritage
  • Nihonga served as a visual representation of Japan's unique artistic traditions and values
• Okakura Kakuzō, a prominent art critic and intellectual, advocated for the preservation of traditional Japanese art as a means of maintaining cultural integrity
  • Okakura argued that the essence of Japanese art lay in its spiritual and philosophical underpinnings
  • He believed that Nihonga could serve as a bulwark against the wholesale adoption of Western artistic values

Government and Imperial Support

• The Imperial Household's support of Nihonga artists and the inclusion of Nihonga in international exhibitions helped to elevate the status of traditional Japanese art
  • The Imperial family commissioned Nihonga works for their residences and state buildings
  • Nihonga was featured prominently in Japan's pavilions at international expositions, such as the 1900 Paris Exposition
• The government's support of Nihonga through the establishment of art schools and the commissioning of public works further solidified its cultural and political significance
  • The Tokyo School of Fine Arts, founded in 1887, included a Nihonga department to train future generations of traditional artists
  • Government buildings, such as the Imperial Diet Building, featured large-scale Nihonga murals that showcased the nation's artistic prowess

National Pride and Public Taste

• Nihonga became a symbol of national pride and cultural resilience, demonstrating that Japan could modernize while retaining its artistic heritage
  • The success of Nihonga artists in international exhibitions bolstered Japan's image as a culturally sophisticated nation
  • The popularity of Nihonga among the Japanese public reflected a growing appreciation for traditional aesthetics in the face of rapid social change
• The Bunten exhibition, later known as the Teiten, served as a platform for promoting Nihonga and shaping public taste in art
  • The exhibition's prestigious awards and critical reception helped to establish Nihonga as a vital part of Japan's contemporary art scene
  • The Bunten's influence extended beyond the art world, as it helped to educate the public about the value and beauty of traditional Japanese art