The History of Asian Art
The various Asian cultures of China, Japan and Korea all have made significant contributions to the art world. Asian art not only features the individuality of each nation but also a collective similarity in design and style. Symbols such as the dragon are revered in all of Asia. Technology was shared between cultures, as in the Chinese introducing their style of writing to Korea in the Bronze Age. The adaptation of ideas from one Asian culture to another is still evident in the modern world, as seen in the Chinese adaptation of the Japanese "Prosperity Cat."
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Chinese
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Chinese history goes back more than 5,000 years. Each dynasty, or period when successive rulers came from the same family line, made its mark on the art of China. The Shang Dynasty, which stretched from 1523 to 1028 B.C., corresponded with the Bronze Age. It was in this period that ceramics, lacquer ware and woven silks appeared. This was followed by the Chou Dynasty from 1027 to 256 B.C., which brought an increase in the use of clay and jade and the beginning of the written arts. The Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644 saw the building of the opulent Forbidden City, while the last dynasty, the Ch'ing from 1644 to 1912, marked the beginning of creating art objects for exportation to the European market.
Japanese
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Japan's history is divided into periods. The Jomon Period from 11,000 to 300 B.C. began when the island was separated from the Asian mainland by the end of the Ice Age. It was midway through this period that clay pots and figures began to appear. The Yayoi Period from 300 B.C. to A.D. 300 saw the creation of bronze weaponry. The Kofun Period from 300 to 552 is noted for elaborate art-filled tombs built for people of nobility. A change in capital from Nara to what is now Kyoto in the Heian Period from 794 to 1185 also influenced the art world, introducing new styles in calligraphy and painting. The Edo Period, from 1615 to 1868, welcomed a stable government and a favorable economy. Decorative arts, which were no longer exclusively for the rich, flourished. Mass-produced wood block prints were inexpensive and popular.
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Korean
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Korea's Neolithic and Bronze Age from 7000 to the 1st century B.C. saw innovations in pottery and bronze work similar to that in Manchuria. In A.D. 108, China's influence was strong contributing the potter's wheel, iron working technology and the Chinese style of writing to Korea. After centuries of being divided into three kingdoms, the Koryo Dynasty from 918 to 1392 brought in a Mongolian influence. During this period hundreds of Buddhist temples were built, the first movable type face was created and ceramics were made with inlays and celadon glazes. The Choson Dynasty, from 1392 to 1910, ushered in a period of conservatism that influenced the artwork. White porcelains replaced the bold colors of the previous periods. During the mid 15th century, blues, browns and reds began appearing on porcelains once again.
The Dragon
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The dragon is considered to be a symbol of good luck and can be found in the artwork of many Asian cultures. Dragons are thought to have magical powers and to have influence over man's destiny. They are so similarly portrayed by the Chinese, Japanese and the Koreans that the only way to tell one culture's dragon from another is to count the toes. Chinese dragons have five toes, those from Korea have four and those from Japan have three. The most elaborate display of dragon art is in Beijing, China. Called the Nine Dragon Wall, it actually has 635 dragons of all sizes created with 424 colored ceramic tiles.
The Lucky Cats
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The Maneki Neko, or the Prosperity Cat, is an example of Japanese folk art that dates back to the late-Tokugawa period. Many tales explain its origin including one about a traveler who rests under a tree during a storm and is beckoned by a waving cat just before the tree is struck by lightning. This explains the waiving paw, which on the left invites customers in and on the right brings good fortune. There is sometimes confusion over which paw is which. Traditionally made of porcelain, but now found in many materials, these waving cat statues are a must have for any business, bar or restaurant in Japan. The Chinese have adopted the tradition, calling their cat the Zhaocai Mao, or inviting wealth cat.
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