Author: art morse

As even a casual observer will tell you, there is a great deal of variety when you consider the art that comes out of Asia. The history of countries like Japan and China go back literally thousands of years, and by taking a look at what these lands have to offer in the way of gorgeous antiques is just one more way to appreciate true artistic ability, craftsmanship and history.

Chinese art, for example, is divided into periods relating to the dynasty that ruled the country. Chinese art can range from simple yet exquisitely glazed ceramic bowls to the popular and incredibly beautiful jade figurines. The Shang dynasty, for intance, was known for its blue casting, while China as a whole maintained a long tradition of beautiful porcelain. The arrival of Buddhism to China around 100 AD led to a great deal of religiously themed art as well.

Japanese art, on the other hand, has a reputation for being simpler than Chinese art, although this has not always been the case. The Japanese aesthetic is one that has changed over the years and today, many people associate it with grace, elegance, and a very spare, spartan beauty. One of the areas that Japanese art is best known for, though, is in textiles, particularly with regards to their kimonos. These robes are often one of a kind and when made by a real master, often have their own names and infrequently worn and more often displayed.

When you are looking for Chinese or Japanese statues to grace your home, you’ll find that there are many choose from, and that you’ll have a choice of many different materials. Both countries have elevated ceramic and porcelain into a fine art form, and you can still find carved figurine statues of jade, wood and stone. You can find plenty of statues of the Buddha, of the Eight Immortals, and of the Japanese folk hero Momotaro, or you can find statues of more homely things, like cats, dogs or children.

Upon examination, Chinese art and Japanese art both abounds with dragons. In Asia, these powerful, serpentine beasts were more associated with good than they are with evil, and more connected with water than with fire. Large bodies of water were thought to have dragons slumbering under them, and buildings are often not built more than a certain height to make sure that dragons that live in the mountains can see the ocean. You’ll find both Chinese and Japanese art loves to depict these creatures, who were often symbols of imperial rule.

Take some time to take a look at the elegance and beauty that can grace your home through the display of Asian antiques, and you’ll find that you have excellent reasons to make sure that you see what these pieces of art can bring to your environment!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/the-beauty-of-asian-antiques-423252.html

About the Author:

Art Morse

Fantasy asian Antiques | chinese | japanese
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Kwan-yin statues

Author: Adam Peters

The history of Japanese art through the ages. How Japanese art was influenced by Chinese and western influences over time.

Japanese art would not be Japanese art without its incredibly beautiful paintings. Japanese paintings took their inspiration from the Chinese style of painting of the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries. This is called the Muromachi period during which the Chinese were trading extensively with Japan, and introducing its art to this island nation. The intricate and exquisite style of the Chinese paintings of this time were very well received by Japanese noblemen, who vied with one another to create beautiful homes full of art and culture. Once this style of painting was firmly established among the nobility, the Japanese themselves started to emulate this style and soon Japanese masterpieces in this same still were being created.

The special qualities of the painters in Japan who followed the Muromachi style was the sense of space that was created, and the the telling of a story. Later, during the period known as the Momoyama, which occurred between 1573 and 1603, the now traditional landscape painting of Japan was developed. These beautiful landscape paintings were created on big screens, so all of the vastness of nature could be seen. It was only during the Edo period form 1603 to 1867 that the now familiar style of adding gold leaf and a mosaic look to the paintings was added. This clearly reflected the western influence that was now being introduced to the orient. Still, a traditional form of art called Ukiyo-e was developed at the same time that seemed almost a throwback to ancient art forms, since it used woodblock to create works of art.

The next important period of Japanese are is considered the Meiji period. During the years from 1868 to 1912, the western influence became more pronounced. Different schools of painting popped up, each with its own unique style. For example, the Suibokuga school used only black ink for their paintings, a reflection of Chinese influence and also very strongly influenced by Zen.

Originally, there was a protest against the Chinese methods of painting using black ink. The Kano school of painting, founded by Kano Masanobu and his son Kano Motonobu was actually a protest against this Chinese influence. As as stark contrast, Kano paintings use bright colors and unusual compositions when compared to the simplistic dark Suibokuga style. The Kano school is said to be the influence for the Ukiyo-e school of design. Another prominent style is the nanga style, popular during the eras called Bunka and Bunsai.

The deft use of space and the simple beauty have long attracted people to Japanese paintings. There is no one medium that a Japanese painter feels compelled to use and they also choose a wide range of subjects such as buildings, landscapes and women.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-incorporate-japanese-design-in-your-home-230306.html

About the Author:
Adam Peters is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on japanese interior design for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on japanese themed decor at

Arthor: Rachael Cleipher

Decorating any home, apartment or office space is no easy task, especially if you have an eye for detail. It is even harder to decorate well when you realize how much it matters to decorate your space in ways that reflect you. I have recently been busy redecorating my office. It was very important for me that my office reflect who I am and that it be a comfortable environment for writing in. I chose, after much deliberation, to go with a Japanese art theme for my office.

I have always loved Japanese art, but it seems to be getting more popular and hence more widely available in the past few years. There is something about the look and feel of Japanese art that I love, so I figured it would be an excellent way to decorate a special space that I use for doing endless hours of valuable writing. I knew that I needed to be intentional about the way I decorated my office. I am very aware of my environment and so I know that I need to decorate and create my work environment with care. I write much better when I am inspired by my surroundings, and I know that Japanese art is very inspiring.

I began searching for Japanese art in thirft shops and in unique art shops. Anyone who is interested in Japanese art for their home or office could start on the internet by searching for Japanese art. See if there are any speciality shops or chain dealers in your area and then make a visit. While you can purchase great pieces of Japanese art off the internet, it is sometimes hard to really get a feel for the look and color scheme of an art piece without seeing it face to face. So don’t hesitate to be picky and to search around for Japanese art pieces that fit your style and needs. There are varying kinds and styles of Japanese art that can be purchased, so see what you like first.

My love for Japanese art hinges on their great use of color. I am very much affected by color, so I love the bold and brilliant hues that most Japanese art is comprised of. I started my search for Japanese art by choosing a color scheme that I wanted to decorate with and then I chose pieces according to that scheme.

I am not sorry that I chose Japanese art to be the theme of my office decor. In fact, I love what I chose. It inspires me to work hard and to create in much the same way that the Japanese have created such great Japanese art.