Japanese art: The Muromachi Period

The Muromachi period (1392–1573) ushered in a renaissance of Chinese-style ink painting. The Zen sect of Buddhism, which enjoyed a growing popularity in the early Kamakura period, received the continued support of the new rulers. Ink painting was accepted as a means of teaching Zen doctrine. Such priest-painters as Josetsu, Shubun, and Sesshu are the most revered of Japanese landscapists. Their works are characterized by economy of execution, forceful brushstrokes, and asymmetrical composition, with emphasis on unfilled space. During this period sculpture began to lose its Buddhist inspiration.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Recent Japanese Art
• The Edo Period to the Twentieth Century
• The Momoyama Period
• The Muromachi Period
• The Kamakura Period
• The Fujiwara Period
• The Nara Period
• Buddhist and Chinese Influences
• Early Works
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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