2008/11/23

Soooo modern! Ink painting

Pine Trees by Tohaku Hasegawa


It's really cool folding screen, isn't it!?
I would never forget the moment when I first saw this great masterpiece of Tohaku Hasegawa , Shorin-zu byoubu, or Pine Tree, drawn in late 16th or early 17th century. That was the time of my Japanese art history class.
Look this daring needle leaves of pine tree and boldness of the composition! There would be no one who could draw the object like this at that era. Some would say, "This is because vanishing point had not established yet."That can be one answer. But I believe that this shows the excellence of Japanese aesthetics, especially in term of creating empty space.
This kind of emptiness had not been in many case of western painting until 20th century. Some artists who was influenced by Zen Buddhism idea came to create empty space in their painting.If seeing about this point, what a modern man Tohaku was!!
Oh, plz don't misunderstand that I look down on western painting. Just I'm so fan of this painting.
Actually, I got a chance to face this great masterpiece this summer. Once I stood in front of this painting, the air surrounding me was suddenly change. I felt as if humid air was coming from this painting and I was standing in the pine forests in the morning mist.
If you visit Japan, I recommend you to see this painiting. But I don't know when this painting will be exhibited next time. We need to wait a little bit...
What's your favorite painting in your own countries?
byoubu...a folding screen consisting of multiple, joined panels. (English)
Tohaku Hasegawa 長谷川等伯 (English) (French) (Spanish)

3 comments:

kuriimu said...

hello. remember me? i don't know why i stumbled into your blog again. I'm glad you are writing again. Um..favorite paintings from my country?...um..i like some stuff from this guy http://arteyartistas.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/mujer-sobre-colchon-con-jarra-1974.jpg

ema said...

hello!! Of course I remember you!

Meeting to you and Earade 4 years ago made me study Spanish at University! (but I was really bad at Spanish lol)

I tought I could have post more articles but I end in being a three-day wonder.

Now I'm junior and doing job hunting.

What are you doin'?

p.s. the movie, 20th century boy 1, didn't have a great success in Japan. But I thought casts was really good! (some characters were almost same as the one painted in Manga)

kuriimu said...

Yea! i saw the movie..it was really hard to find a translated copy of it. ut i liked it. perhaps it's a movie more for the fansm hehe. i'm now working in Miami and well..things are ok. i'm just working now hoping to save some money to start maybe studying another degree. We'll see how that goes. Did you finally finish your degree? did you study art?