About this video
- Video Title: 並木工芸概論06 鎌倉・室町時代②
- Channel: 並木誠士
- Speakers: 並木誠士 (implied, as the lecturer)
- Duration: 01:08:12
Overview
This lecture, the sixth in the "Outline of Crafts" series, focuses on the Kamakura and Muromachi periods in Japanese history, specifically the latter half of these eras and the Nanbokucho period. The speaker aims to highlight the design aspects and unique expressions of the Muromachi period, which led into the subsequent Momoyama period. The discussion centers on the evolution of lacquerware techniques, the influence of Chinese painting styles, and the emergence of new decorative and compositional approaches.
Key takeaways
- Evolution of Lacquerware Techniques: The lecture traces the progression of lacquerware decoration from simple black lacquer (kuro urushi) to techniques like nashiji (pear-skin ground) and kakeji (applied gold or silver leaf), culminating in kuro urushi no ji (black lacquer characters) that emphasized the contrast with gold.
- Influence of Chinese Art: The period saw significant influence from Chinese ink wash painting (suibokuga), particularly in landscape depictions (sansuizu). This influenced the use of gold and circular elements to create depth and the importance of negative space (yohaku) in compositions. The lecture also touches upon the influence of Chinese genre painting (setchuga), which focused on localized or fragmented scenes.
- Emergence of New Designs: The Muromachi period saw the introduction of "katayagari" (divided design), inspired by clothing design, where different patterns or textures were combined on a single object. This bold compositional approach was reflected in lacquerware.
- The Rise of Portraiture and Narrative Scenes: There was a notable increase in the depiction of human figures, not just as incidental elements but as central subjects. This includes narrative scenes derived from poetry (waka) and a growing trend in portraiture, particularly of women, which became more individualized and detailed in their depiction of clothing and appearance.
- Aesthetic Shifts: The lecture highlights a shift towards more decorative and colorful aesthetics, influenced by the changing styles in painting, textiles, and other decorative arts. The use of gold, silver, and mother-of-pearl (raden) became more prominent, contributing to a richer visual vocabulary.
