Japanese Art History

  • Early Jomon Period conical, flat-bottomed vessel
    3000 BCE

    Early Jomon Period conical, flat-bottomed vessel

    The vessel was made in early Jomon period with clay.
  • "Flame ware" vessel
    2400 BCE

    "Flame ware" vessel

    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

    Heavily Molded Female Figurine

    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

    Sword, Spear, Mirror and Magatama Jewels

    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

    Pedestal and other vessels

    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

    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 from Takarazuka Tomb

    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

    Ise Shrine

    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

    Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

    key hole shaped tomb located in Sakai Osaka. Built in Late 4th to early 5th century C.E
  • Haniwa
    500

    Haniwa

    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

    Shitennoji temple

    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

    Wall painting in Takehara Tomb

    Painted wall in takehara Tomb, dated to Late Kofun period in Fukuoka prefecture. Colors drawing on the stone wall
  • Horyuji temple (golden hall)
    607

    Horyuji temple (golden hall)

    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

    Yakushi statue

    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

    Shaka triad

    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

    Yumedono Kannon

    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

    Tamamushi shrine

    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

    Hungary tigress Jataka pannel

    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

    Tamonten in the kondo

    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

    Fudo Myoo

    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

    Womb World of Ryokai Mandara

    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

    Diamond World

    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

    Taizukai Dainichi Panel

    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

    Phoenix Hall

    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

    Illustration from Genji Monogatari

    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

    Amida Raigo Triptych. Made in late 11th century out of color on silk. Height 81 inches (211cm)
  • Vajra
    1150

    Vajra

    Five-pronged vajra was created at late Heian Period, 12th century with bronze. Length 6.5 inch (17 cm)
  • portrait of Yorimoto
    1189

    portrait of Yorimoto

    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

    Izumo shrine

    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)

    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

    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

    portrait of poetess and imperial consort

    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

    portrait sculpture of Yorimoto

    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

    Illustration from Heiji Monogatari

    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

    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

    Kinkakuji

    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

    Cottage by Mountain Stream

    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

    Ginkakuji

    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

    Garden of Ryoanji

    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

    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

    Tower of the Sun

    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.