The ukiyo-e above,
Bodhidharma Crossing the Yangzi on a Reed, shows the Bodhidharma (Buddhist monk who founded Zen Buddhism in East Asia) as he flees China in a really intense way. He apparently lost the favor of the Chinese Emperor, which caused him to flee across a river on a reed. The artist, Utamaro Kitagawa, is noted for his pictures of
bijin - pretty women - so this depiction of Daruma (the Bodhidharma) is especially unique. Also, the lack of color is not for a lack of printmaking skill at this point in history, but rather a conscious choice to go with the religious theme. The stylized waves are very characteristic of traditional Japanese prints, but the robes almost appear as a rock or mountain rising up from the water - almost suggesting that he has become enlightened enough to become part of the energies of the universe. His intense expression also suggests his strict concentration that he is once told to have focused while staring at a wall for 7 years until his limbs fell off.
This print,
Meditation Paris, by Saitou Kiyoshi, is a very interesting one to analyze. Though most of his prints focused on an Orientalist's view of Japan with many geisha-like women and red and black color schemes suggestive of Japanese temples, he made several that strayed from these attributes. Though he maintained a simple color scheme in this print, the subject matter of nuns or whatever these people are is not highly representative of Japan (like the dachshund). Saitou uses a lot of texture in his prints - in some choosing to even leave in the wood's texture. This print is very visually interesting with the curves, but also has an aura of mystery from the unexplained subjects.
The ukiyo-e prints were very unique as compared to some of the other imagery we have study thus far in this course. I liked that you selected two of the most unusual images. Beginning with Bodhidharma Crossing the Yangzi on a Reed, I liked that you explained the backstory of Bodhidharma and acknowledged that the artist (Utamaro Kitagawa) was well known for his depictions of pretty women (bijin) and had opted to try something out of his element when creating this print. I also noted his expression when I was viewing this piece, and while I read it as being one of anger, you instead interpreted it to express concentration – and then explained the tale of him staring at a wall for seven year until his limbs fell off of his body.
ReplyDeleteThe second image you choose was so very abstract, I really liked Meditation Paris and the Egyptian, as they both show a Japanese interpretation of other cultures. Saitou Kiyoshi was most known for his prints of women and a fixed color schemed that you recognized, and this image was, as you said, an obvious outlier compared to his other works.