The origin, growth and development of Japanese art and culture Term Paper

The origin, growth and development of Japanese art and culture - Term Paper Example Most of the Asian fashion designs might seem to be imitations of the European styles, but this is not the case in actual sense. On the other hand, it would be absurd to ignore the impact that the Western countries have had on the East. In the entire development period which was most vibrant during the twentieth century, aesthetics and other methods where gotten from the European countries and many Asians where proud to recognize the efforts of Western countries. As the poet Tekkan once mentioned, â€Å"We love the poetry of our predecessors, who are both from the West and the East† (Arrowsmith, 2011, p.28). The beginning of the Metropolitan Court Culture By the occurrence of the Heian period, which was between 794-1185, the Japanese governing system was not fully transformed. During this period, power in Japan had been transferred to the emperor and his ministers. The quasi-independent aristocracy was now changed to the metropolitan elite that comprised of the rituals, intrigu es, history and the imperial courts. The most fundamental happening during this revolution was the adoption of the Chinese cultures and civilization. In 618, a dynasty known as Tang was established and it reigned for almost 300 years. During this period, most of the Chinese cultures acquired their flowering and maturity. ... These styles were unique, and an example is the three dimensionality and realism by the use of models in visual arts. In no time, the art designs and models came to be known as Tang International Styles (Mason, 2005, p.41). The Art of Buddhism Buddhism is one of the earliest arts that were established in China. By the mid years of the fifth century, Koguryo and Paekche, which were all Korean kingdoms, had adopted the art of Buddhism. Silla also adopted the art during the same period as the Korean kingdoms. During the Tang, just as the other Chinese dynasties, the Buddhism community played a vital role in the general affairs of the nations that adopted it. With well located monasteries and temples, the Chinese empire was inhabited by the Buddhist community that managed to make the Tang emperor the most supreme authority on the planet. In an artistic view, the Buddhist community can be said to be the richest, as arts lead to wealth and influence. As the Tang International Style is stil l embraced and praised in the four corners of the earth, its originality is reflected on the surviving paintings and sculptures of the Buddhists (Mason, 2005, p.41). The Paekche embassies, including that of 584 and 552, were unable to introduce Buddhism to Japan. However, they managed to attract the attention of Prince Shotoku who was a champion of the Buddhist cause. By 587, Buddhism had gained control in the Japanese Imperial government and was in fact a crucial foothold. In less than a century, the art has spread and was now in Yamato itself, under the regimes of Tenmu the emperor and Jito the empress who was Tenmu’s successor. Jito officially advocated Buddhism as one of the vital instruments in the