OVERVIEW

In Japan, Eurasia’s extreme geographic limit, there developed a complex civilization, typically insular yet cosmopolitan, rich in local traditions but capable of assimilating and ‘Japanizing’ the contributions and influxes coming from Continental Asia, Insular Asia and Europe. The technical foundations and artistic, ideological and social meanings of Japan’s figurative and decorative arts during the Edo period (1600-1867) and the Meiji era (1868-1912) will be explored and analysed within this cultural and historical background.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims at: (1) Providing a comprehensive art-historical and cultural vision of the civilizations of Eastern Asia, by outlining their main historical developing lines and the dynamic factors of their mutual relations; (2) Highlighting the artistic and cultural aspects shared in common by the Asian countries from Antiquity up to Modernity; (3) Examining their most characteristic, original and typical art productions; (4) Focusing on the expressive characteristics and peculiarities of the arts in various Asian regions, with special regard to China and Japan.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main aim of these lessons consists in:

(1)     Providing a comprehensive art-historical and cultural perception of the civilization of Japan and of its main developing lines during the proto-modern and modern ages (17th-19th centuries). (2)  Evidencing the most peculiar aesthetic and technical aspects of the Japanese artistic productions. (3)  Focusing on the Asian and European civilization influences on the art productions of Japan and, conversely, on the influence of Japanese art in the West during the second half of the19th century and the early decades of the 20th century.

Students are advised to attend the classes for at least 36 out of 40 hours (18 lessons).

TEACHING METHODS

Twenty lessons, two hours each, carried out with Power Point presentations.

Remote learning: lessons via Microsoft Teams (code: d8zrlj7)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part One. Introduction to the cultural history of Japan

• History of culture and development of ideas and thought in Japan. - Japan and Asia. – Japan and Europe, Europe and Japan. – Historical profile of the Japanese legislation on cultural properties (late 19th century – today). 

Part Two. The history of art in proto-modern and modern Japan (17th-19th century)

Subjects and topics of the lessons

• Japanese collections in Italy, with special regard to the ‘Edoardo Chiossone’ Museum of Oriental Art in Genoa: the collector, the formation of his collections, and the foundation of the Chiossone Museum.
• The figurative culture of the city-dwellers (chōnin bunka). Life style and imagery of the bourgeois and of the common people as represented in ukiyoe, the art of the “floating world”: (1) paintings (nikuhitsu ukiyoe) and “brocade prints” (nishikie); (2) male and female clothing and accessories of artistic importance.
• The decorative culture in the Edo period: lacquer, porcelain, metal and enamel arts and techniques.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Donatella Failla, Masterpieces of Japanese Art from Edo Period to Modernization, exhibition catalogue, Museo d’Arte Orientale ‘Edoardo Chiossone’, Comune di Genova, Silvana Editoriale d’Arte, Milano 2002.
• Donatella Failla, “The Protection of Cultural Properties in Japan. Part One”, Zeitschrift für Japanisches Recht / Journal of Japanese Law, Deutsch-Japanische Juristenvereinigung E.V., Max-Planck-Institut für Privatrecht, 9. Jahrgang / Vol. 9 (2004) Nr. / 18, pp. 67-107.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DONATELLA FAILLA (President)

GIACOMO MONTANARI

FABRIZIO BENENTE (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 16, 2021

Class schedule

HISTORY OF EASTERN ASIAN ART

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Carried out coherently with the aim of the lessons and the learning outcomes, the oral exam will ascertain the candidate’s ability in (1) Providing a comprehensive art-historical and cultural perception of the civilization of Japan and of its main developing lines during the proto-modern and modern ages (17th-19th century). (2)  Evidencing the most peculiar aesthetic and technical aspects of the Japanese artistic productions. (3) Focusing on the influences of the Asian and European civilizations on the art productions of Japan and, conversely, on the influence of Japanese art in the West during the second half of the19th century and the early decades of the 20th century.

The candidate’s exam will be evaluated according to the following parameters: (1) coherence and consistence in describing the art-historical and socio-cultural contexts; (2) capability of critical reasoning on the subject and its topics; (3) expository ability and style, and proper use of the aesthetic and technical vocabulary concerning the artistic productions.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

EXAMINATION PROGRAMME

(1) Study of the texts listed above.

(2) Notes taken during the course, integrated by the lessons in Power Point and, if needed, by further material made available by the lecturer.