Japanese Art History

Early Jomon Period conical, flat-bottomed vessel

3000 BCE

The vessel was made in early Jomon period with clay.

"Flame ware" vessel

2400 BCE

The Flame ware vessel is a earthenware discovered in Niigata prefecture. It's made in Middle Jomon period in estimate and has a height of 12.5 inch (30.8 cm)

Heavily Molded Female Figurine

400 BCE

This figurine is an earthenware discovered in Aomori prefecture, estimated in final Jomon period. It has height of 15 inches (38.1cm)

Sword, Spear, Mirror and Magatama Jewels

200 BCE

The sword, spear, mirror and magatama are discovered in Yayoi period, second century B.C.E. The sword, spear and mirror are made out of bronze whereas the magatama is made from jadeite or serpentine.

Pedestal and other vessels

100 BCE

These are earthenware founded at Kurita. They were made in middle Yayoi period with clay and painted in red. Height 20.5 inch (53cm)

Dotoku

100 BCE

Dotoku with designs of animal, plants and daily life. 100 B.C.E-300 C.E. Made out of bronze. Height 16.5 inch (42.8cm)

Mirror from Takarazuka Tomb

300

Mirror found in the Takarazuka Tomb with carvings on four directions. Made in early Kofun period (300-450) out of bronze. Size diameter 9 in (23 cm)

Ise Shrine

300

The main hall (Honden) of the Ise shrine. It is out of Mie prefecture, building for the purpose of Amaterasu. Height 10m, build out of wood in every 20 years. 3rd century C.E.

Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

400

key hole shaped tomb located in Sakai Osaka. Built in Late 4th to early 5th century C.E

Haniwa

500

A haniwa figure of a farmer discovered from a site in Gunma prefecture, Kofu period (300-710) Made out of clay, Height 36.3 inch (92.5cm)

Shitennoji temple

593

A buddhist temple built in Osaka. Constructed in 593 under prince Shotoku. The temple is in Chinese style majorly paved with stone tiles and wood pillars.

Wall painting in Takehara Tomb

600

Painted wall in takehara Tomb, dated to Late Kofun period in Fukuoka prefecture. Colors drawing on the stone wall

Horyuji temple (golden hall)

607

A buddhist temple built in Nara. First constructed in 607 under prince Shotoku. The temple is in Chinese style majorly built on stone platom, built with tiles, stones and wood pillars.

Yakushi statue

607

The Bronze statue located at the kondo part of the Horyuji temple, and was built in first half the 7th century. Height 24 1/4 inch (63cm)

Shaka triad

623

built by Tori Busshi. in kondo part of Horyuji temple. It was built in 623C.E out of bronze; height 46 inch (116.8cm)

Yumedono Kannon

623

Located in the yumedono (Hall of the dream) Horyuji Ikaruga, buit in early 7th century fuilt with wood height 77 inch (197cm)

Tamamushi shrine

650

The Tamamushi shrine is built in 650 C.E with Cypress, camphor wood and lacquer; height 84 inch (213 cm). Now it is moved to the Horyuji treasure house

Hungary tigress Jataka pannel

650

The panel was discovered in Tamamushi shrine and created 650 C.E. with lacquer on wood and meal work borders. Now is moved to Horyuji treasure house

Tamonten in the kondo

650

The tamonen statue is also located ast the kondo part of horuyji and it was built in 650 C.E. out of wood with paint and gold leaf. Height 53 inch (134.2cm)

Fudo Myoo

839

The Fudo Myoo statue located in the lecture hall of Kyoogokakuji 839 C.E. It is made out of wood and painting with height 68.25 inches

Womb World of Ryokai Mandara

870

This is the Womb World of the Ryokai Mandara discovered Toji Kyoto. 2nd half of the 9th century hanging scroll. color on silk; 72x60.5 inch

Diamond World

870

This is the Diamond World of the Ryokai Mandara discovered Toji Kyoto. 2nd half of the 9th century hanging scroll. color on silk; 72x60.5 inch

Taizukai Dainichi Panel

951

The west panel of the heart pillar in the five storied pagoda. Shimo Daigoji. 951 C.E. built out of color on wood; Height 104 inches

Phoenix Hall

998

The Phoenix Hall is located in Byodoin, Uji, kyoto. Firstly built for Minamoto no Shigenobu. The hall was constructed in c. 998 and made out of stone platform, wooden pillar and tile roof.

Illustration from Genji Monogatari

1021

The illustration is coming from the Kashiwagi chapter of Genji Monogatari. It is created at first half of the 12th century with ink and color on paper by Murasaki shikibu

Amida Raigo Triptych

1080

Amida Raigo Triptych. Made in late 11th century out of color on silk. Height 81 inches (211cm)

Vajra

1150

Five-pronged vajra was created at late Heian Period, 12th century with bronze. Length 6.5 inch (17 cm)

portrait of Yorimoto

1189

The portrait is created in late 12th century. A copy of the original of 1179 attribution to Fujiwara No Takanob, made out of color on silk. height 55 inches

Izumo shrine

1200

Also an Shinto shrine. Picture shows the main hall (Honden) of the Izumo shrine. It is out of Shimane prefecture, building for the purpose of Okuninushi. Height 10m, build out of wood. Built during Kamakura period (1200), rebuilt in 1744.

Hokuendo (North Octagonal Hall)

1210

Hokuendo (North Octagonal Hall) is located in Kofukuji, Nara c. 1210. It is made out of stone platforms, wooden pillars and tiled roofs.

Tofukuji

1236

Tofukuji is a large Zen temple built in c. 1236. This temple is made out of stone platform, wooden pillars and tiled roof. The hieght of the temple is 15 meters.

portrait of poetess and imperial consort

1250

The portrait was created in late 12th/13th century created with ink and color on paper by Saigo Nyogo Yoshiko.

portrait sculpture of Yorimoto

1250

This portrait sculpture of Yorimoto is created in 13th century. It is made out of wood with paint; height 35.5 inches

Illustration from Heiji Monogatari

1250

The original text of Heiji Monogatari is attribute to Hamuro Tokinaga and written in 36 chapters. This illustration is in emaki form and made in 13th century. It is created out of ink and color on paper, with its size 16 1/4 inch

The priest Kuya

1320

The Priest Kuya is made by Kosho in early 13th century. It is made by wood with paint and inlaied eyes; height 46 1/4 inches. Located in Rokuharamitsuji in Kyoto

Kinkakuji

1390

The Kinkakuji or temple of golden pavilion is built originally in 1390 as the retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It was built with wood and only the roof part was paved with gold initially. It is 40 feet high.

Cottage by Mountain Stream

1413

This hanging scroll is created by Mincho in c. 1413 and was made out of ink on paper. The size of the scroll is 101.5x34.5 cm

Ginkakuji

1482

The Ginkakuji or temple of golden pavilion is built originally in 1482 as the retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It was built with wood. It is 40 feet high.

Garden of Ryoanji

1500

The zen garden of ryoanji is made by small pebbles of rocks and moss. The garden is a rectangle of 248 square meters (2,670 square feet) and built in late 15th century majorly for zen practice

Hojo garden

1525

Hojo garden is the zen garden of Daisenin. It is made by small pebbles of rocks with "flowing shapes".The main garden is L shaped with only 3.7 meters in wide. Made in early 16th century

Tower of the Sun

1970

The tower of the sun is designed by Kenzo tange and Okamoto Taro when it was the Osaka expo in 1970. It is made out of concretes and metals. The tower's height is 70 metres, the diameter at the base is 20 metres, and each of the two arms is 25 metres long.