A study on the expression of nature in religious paintings of East Asia

1996 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 07610054
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fine art history
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: SUDOH Hirotoshi Hirosaki University, Faculty of Humanities, Associate Professor, 人文学部, 助教授 (70124592)
• Project Period (FY): 1995 – 1996
• Keywords: East Asia / Buddhist painting / Landscape / Religion

Research Abstract

In the religious paintings of East Asia, we can see several points on the expression of nature. This means that China, Korea and Japan these regions have each original trends on expressing nature motif. I have researched hundreds of paintings and studied this theme through the project. Finally I found out next three points.
1.Depicting the landscape in religious painting had started in T'ang dynasty. And it succeeded to Korea and Japan. However, before 12th century how about in Korea we cannot know for very poor works.
2.In Japan, from late Heian period, originally thought and expressing of nature had become clearly.
3.Among such paintings in Japan, most originally expressing of nature is found in "Raigo-paintings". At there religious motif and natural motif are each worthy in a picture.
And through this research project, I have fully used photo retouching programs on computer. It obtained very good results. In the study of Japanese Art History, such technical results by personal study is very rare. So this research project has got a good model.