Question 1

How does the Japanese garden compare to those of Europe?

Accepted Answer

Japanese gardens and European gardens have distinct characteristics that reflect their different cultural backgrounds, philosophies, and aesthetics.

Japanese Gardens:
1. Philosophy: Japanese gardens are deeply rooted in Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. They often aim to represent natural landscapes in a more abstract and stylized manner. The gardens are designed to encourage contemplation and meditation, focusing on the concepts of simplicity, naturalness, and a sense of peace.
2. Design Elements: Key elements include rocks, water, bridges, lanterns, and meticulously pruned trees and shrubs. The use of space is crucial, often incorporating the concept of "ma" (negative space) to highlight the beauty of the garden's components.
3. Asymmetry: Japanese gardens typically embrace asymmetry and irregularity, following the principle of "wabi-sabi," which finds beauty in imperfection and transience.
4. Enclosure: They are often enclosed and meant to be viewed from a specific vantage point or along a prescribed path, creating a journey through the landscape.
5. Seasonality: There is a strong emphasis on seasonal changes, with plants chosen to provide interest throughout the year and to mark the changing seasons.

European Gardens:
1. Philosophy: European gardens, particularly those from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, often reflect the human desire to control and shape nature. They are typically designed to showcase the power, wealth, and order of the garden's owner.
2. Design Elements: European gardens are known for their formal geometric layouts, symmetrical patterns, and extensive use of topiary. They often include statues, fountains, and grand architectural features like pavilions and orangeries.
3. Symmetry: There is a strong emphasis on symmetry, balance, and proportion in European garden design, reflecting the classical ideals of beauty.
4. Perspective: Many European gardens are designed with perspective in mind, using avenues and sightlines to draw the eye towards focal points or to create illusions of greater distance or intimacy.
5. Ornamentation: European gardens often have a high level of ornamentation and detail, with intricate flower beds, elaborate water features, and decorative sculptures.

In summary, Japanese gardens tend to focus on the representation of nature in a minimalist and philosophical way, promoting inner reflection and harmony with the natural world. European gardens, on the other hand, often display the grandeur of human achievement, with a focus on symmetry, order, and the manipulation of nature to create impressive and ornate landscapes. Both styles of gardens are deeply appreciated for their beauty and the different experiences they offer to visitors.

Question 2

Trace the influence of Zen Buddhism on the arts and literature of Japan after the fifteenth century.

Accepted Answer

Zen Buddhism had a profound influence on the arts and literature of Japan after the fifteenth century. The Zen philosophy, which emphasizes mindfulness, simplicity, and the appreciation of the present moment, greatly impacted the way Japanese artists and writers approached their work.

In the arts, Zen Buddhism inspired the development of various traditional Japanese art forms, such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, flower arranging, and the martial arts. These art forms were deeply influenced by Zen principles, with an emphasis on minimalism, spontaneity, and the expression of the artist's inner state of mind. For example, in tea ceremony, the focus on simplicity and the appreciation of the present moment reflects Zen ideals. In calligraphy, the brushstrokes are often seen as a form of meditation, with the artist seeking to express their state of mind in each stroke.

In literature, Zen Buddhism also had a significant impact. Many Japanese poets and writers were influenced by Zen philosophy, leading to the development of new literary forms and styles. Haiku, for example, a form of poetry consisting of three lines and a total of 17 syllables, reflects the Zen emphasis on simplicity and the appreciation of the natural world. Zen principles also influenced the development of Zen literature, a genre of writing that seeks to express the ineffable and the transcendent through poetic and paradoxical language.

Overall, Zen Buddhism had a profound influence on the arts and literature of Japan after the fifteenth century, shaping the development of traditional Japanese art forms and inspiring new literary styles and expressions. Its emphasis on mindfulness, simplicity, and the appreciation of the present moment continues to be reflected in the artistic and literary traditions of Japan to this day.

Question 3

The first Zen patriarch is named Daruma and is represented in a work by Hakuin Ekaku.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Zazen is a form of music practiced in the rural areas of the country.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a style of Japanese art called ukiyo-e arose, which became especially associated with __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   haiku
B)   Japanese gardens
C)   woodblock prints
D)   landscape painting
E)   garden design

Question 6

Muromachi gardens were designed for __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   exercise
B)   meditation
C)   social gatherings
D)   love trysts
E)   ceremonies

Question 7

Haiku reached an apex with such poems as this one by Basho Matsuo: "First rain of winter-/the monkey too seems to want/a little straw raincoat."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

How do the styles of Chinese and Japanese architecture reflect the cultures in which each was created?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do the styles of Chinese and...

Question 9

Kabuki theater emerged in the __________ century.

Accepted Answer

A)   fourteenth
B)   fifteenth
C)   sixteenth
D)   seventeenth
E)   nineteenth

Question 10

In Noh theater the music comes from a ji or chorus.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

What happened after 1600 in terms of literature?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What happened after 1600 in terms of...

Question 12

Modern Japanese literature dates from the beginning of the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Meiji era
B)   Edo period
C)   Momoyama period
D)   Heian period
E)   Muromachi period

Question 13

Summarize the Japanese approach to architecture during the Muromachi and Momoyama periods.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Summarize the Japanese approach to architecture during...

Question 14

Oe Hikari was a Muromachi sculptor known for his images of Buddha.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

What is a koan and what is its purpose?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a koan and what is...

Question 16

The fiction of modern Japan reflects a strong concern with __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   achievement
B)   religion
C)   cultural and individual identity
D)   ancient tales
E)   philosophy

Question 17

"What is the sound of one hand clapping?" is an example of a Zen __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   shoin
B)   cha-no-yu
C)   samurai
D)   koan
E)   shogun

Question 18

The Tokugawa shogunate unified the country of Japan and isolated it from outside world.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The establishment of classes during Edo period was influenced by Confucianism.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What are the differences between Noh and Kabuki?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the differences between Noh and...

Exam 8: Japanese Civilization after the Fifteenth Century

How does the Japanese garden compare to those of Europe?

Trace the influence of Zen Buddhism on the arts and literature of Japan after the fifteenth century.

The first Zen patriarch is named Daruma and is represented in a work by Hakuin Ekaku.

Zazen is a form of music practiced in the rural areas of the country.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a style of Japanese art called ukiyo-e arose, which became especially associated with __________.

Muromachi gardens were designed for __________.

Haiku reached an apex with such poems as this one by Basho Matsuo: "First rain of winter-/the monkey too seems to want/a little straw raincoat."

How do the styles of Chinese and Japanese architecture reflect the cultures in which each was created?

Kabuki theater emerged in the __________ century.

In Noh theater the music comes from a ji or chorus.

What happened after 1600 in terms of literature?

Modern Japanese literature dates from the beginning of the __________.

Summarize the Japanese approach to architecture during the Muromachi and Momoyama periods.

Oe Hikari was a Muromachi sculptor known for his images of Buddha.

What is a koan and what is its purpose?

The fiction of modern Japan reflects a strong concern with __________.

"What is the sound of one hand clapping?" is an example of a Zen __________.

The Tokugawa shogunate unified the country of Japan and isolated it from outside world.

The establishment of classes during Edo period was influenced by Confucianism.

What are the differences between Noh and Kabuki?