SOUTH, EAST, AND SOUTHEAST ASIATerry Yau

RELIGION

Ancient Indic Southeast Asia Dominated by earthly and cosmic realms of

existence Sought spiritual development, spiritual release, or

divine union via religious methodologies and social practices

Still some sites and beings as sacred Life and time = cyclic (i.e. reincarnation)

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism

East Asia Interconnectedness of humans with both natural

and spirit world China – hierarchical and differentiated society that

encouraged appropriate social behaviors Daoism, Confucianism, eventually Buddhism when it

arrives

Korea – Influenced by China ∴ infused Confucian and Buddhist practices

Japan – Believed landscape alive and inhabited by animistic nature spirits Shinto belief 7th and 8th C – Buddhism arrived and succeeded

RELIGION & ART/ARCHITECTURE

Most architecture for religion Temples – House deities or shrines (constructed or

rock cut) Buddhist Pagodas Rock-cut caves contained Buddhist imagery, shrines,

stupas, and monastic spaces (From C. Asia to China) Japan – natural materials (wood); followed Chinese

models S. and SE Asia – Islamic architecture

Secular – forts and palaces Religious – mosques and tombs

Art Icon images in Hinduism and Buddhism Raigo scenes for Pure Land Buddhism

ART

BUDDHIST RELIQUARY STUPAS(SOUTH, EAST, AND SOUTHEAST ASIA)

MONOCHROMATIC INK PAINTING ON SILK/PAPER(CHINA)

PAGODA(CHINA [BASED ON WATCHTOWER])

ROCK GARDENS, TEA CEREMONIES(JAPAN)

WOODBLOCK PRINTING(JAPAN)

LONG TRADITIONS OF ART…

Reaching back to prehistoric times Developed around core areas Indus Valley,

Gangetic Plain, Yellow River Earliest known ceramic vessels found in Asia

Yuchanyan Cave in China – 18,300-17,500 BCE Jomon vessels in Japan – 10,500 BCE

Neolithic and Bronze Age civilization Indus Valley civilization (Pakistan and India) Longshan cultures and Shang Dynasty (China) Dongson culture (SE Asia) Yayoi and Kofun cultures (Japan)

MORE ART…

Stone and wood carving (esp. in architecture) Ceramic arts

High-fire porcelain Tang ceramics – blue and white porcelain coveted for

over 1000 years = Great gifts in Europe!

Metal work Sculpture, arms and armor, ritual vessels,

decoration Shang Dynasty bronze vessels

Textiles Silk and wool tapestry, cotton weaving, printing,

painting, and carpet weaving Cotton first spun and woven in Indus Valley of

Pakistan Silk in China

Painting Wall painting or manuscript/album painting India and E. Asia favored contour drawing or

forms India – regional styles dependent on mythical and

historical Japan and China – literati painting among educated

elite Reveal nonprofessional artists’ explorations of

landscape subjects juxtaposed with poetry Calligraphy = #1 in China; also in Islam

[architecture, decorative objects, and ceramic tiles]

SOCIAL

Home to foreign cultures Greco-Roman cultures, Christianity, and Islamic

cultures (India, Malaysia, and Indonesia) Greco-Roman Evident in Hellenistic influenced

art Ancient Gandharan culture (Afghanistan/Pakistan) Early Buddha sculptures seen wearing 2 shouldered

robe based on Roman Toga Islam

Spread through S. and SE Asia via military campaigns Use of paper for manuscripts and paintings Use of Mughal styles in Hindu court architecture,

painting, and fashion European influence – naturalism and perspective

2 major trade routes Silk Road – linked Europe and Asia

Han and Tang Dynasties and Mongol Empire, colonial era, and opening of Japan for trade in 19th Century

W. Asia and Europe – collectors acquired Asian art through gift or trade

Textiles Maritime networks that utilized monsoon winds

N. Africa, W. Asia, S. and SE Asia, S. China Transmission of cultural ideas/practices

i.e. Buddhism, artistic forms, media, and styles