asian art essay for final examination (take-home) tips-n-hints...

answer ONE of the following question blocks with an essay that addresses the issues raised in that block, using appropriate examples. YOU WILL BE JUDGED IN PART ON THE QUALITY OF YOUR ESSAY!!! If you are asked to choose your own examples, you will be judged in part on the appropriateness of those examples.

Bring this essay, completed, to the final examination period. To receive full credit, the essay must be handed in at the beginning of the period. I also recommend that you use the questions you do not write on as "study" questions, since each question contains issues that will be tested in some capacity on the final exam.

1. Compare and contrast a Chinese Pagoda with the Japanese Dry Garden (Ryoan-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan). Consider architectural elements, symbolism and religious function. (Make sure to be precise in your description of the religious philosophies that lead to use these structures in certain ways.) Do not copy from your textbook. Use "legal" paraphrases (no more than two identical words in each sentence).

2. Discuss the varied and evolving concepts of nature as they are expressed in the paintings in China and Japan. Make sure to consider the format, purpose and stylistic attributes and any underlying religious and/or aesthetic theory underlying your chosen examples (use at least one from China and one from Japan). Note: choose your examples carefully, to allow the above issues to be raised and discussed.

3. Discuss the significance of format as it is related to purpose and subject matter in both China and Japan. Consider a hanging scroll, a handscroll, an album leaf, a folding screen and a woodblock print. Choose specific examples for each of these and explain how format, purpose and subject matter are related in each.

4. Using works of your own choice, discuss the modification of Buddhism in both China (the Ch'an reformation) and Japan (both Zen and the further changing of principles in the Edo period). Choose works that best represent these changes in your opinion. Cite specific aspects (i.e. subject, format, style, purpose) of your chosen works (one Chinese and two Japanese) that indicate religious practice and/or beliefs.

TIPS -N- HINTS FOR THE IN-CLASS PORTION OF THE FINAL I recommend that for each categories and subcategories you think of a specific example from the review slide list. The entire test is structured so you will apply and/or explain these principles to examples which I will identify for you, but I will not identify which work is literal vs. court style, or which is onna-e vs. otoko-e, for example. YOU NEED TO MEMORIZE THAT.

1. Terms: Ten of the following terms will appear on the test. Be prepared to discuss these principles as illustrated by slide as well (therefore I would study these in conjunction with an example drawn from the review carousel slide list). neng, miao, shen, i, Taoism, Ch'an Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, ukiyo-e, maki-e, mandala, yamato-e, haniwa, kami, Shinto, Tendai, Shingon, otoko-e, onna-e, kirigane, kare-sansui, fusuma, hikime kagihana, fukinuki yatai, wabi, sabi, shibui.

2. Formats & Purpose: Hanging scroll, handscroll, album leaf, folding screen, sliding screen, woodblock print, court art, scholar art, popular art, dry garden ("rules" and "recurring expressions" highlighted on overhead), tea bowls

3. Media & Techniques: ink painting, monochrome ink painting, decorative painting, technique of woodblock prints, technique etc. for tea bowls (characteristics too), difference between silk & paper for support, dry lacquer technique.

4. Religious Practices: Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, Ch'an Buddhism, Shinto, Shingon, Tendai, Zen Buddhism.

5. Aesthetic theory: "5 styles" of Chinese painting of the Song dynasty; "rules" of painting (you need not know all of the people who invented them, focus on the concepts); basic style points for Chinese landscape (i.e. why perspective different, why don't use shadows), literati painting (how influenced by Neo-Confucianism); "six principles" of worthy painting, aesthetics of tea, 7 characteristics of arts inspired by Zen Buddhism, 3 trends of Momoyama painting, development of "individualists" in Japan, stylistic characteristics of woodblock prints.

6. Korea: Relationship of Korean art to both China & Japan (ways each has been characterized); development of celadon, development of Korean school of painting in 17c (subjects, style), "blue and green," "true-view," modifications of architecture from Chinese.

layout of the exam

Part 1: "unknown" slides for major concepts (i.e. court or scholar style, the aesthetic of the teabowl, the significance of the format, the technique and style of woodblock printing). 3 slides, 4 minutes per slide, 5 points each). total points this section = 15.

Part 2: single slides with "directed" questions to be answered in 2-3 HEALTHY, MEATY sentences. These slides will be identified for you with artist (if known), country and date. 6 slides, shown two at a time, 10 minutes each set (5 minutes per slide), 5 points each. Total points this section = 30 points.

Part 3: "Compare and Contrast" slide sets. Two slides will be shown. Both will be identified for you as noted above. There will be three sets of slides. Two will have a "directed" question, the third will ask you to compare and contrast on your own (i.e. you identify for yourself the most pressing issues posed by this set). 6 slides, shown two at a time, 10 minutes each set, 15 points each set. Total points this section = 45 points.

Part 4: Terms. You can work on this page at any time when you have completed other portions of the exam, and during the final minutes. 10 terms, 1 point each. Total points this section = 10 points.

Total points possible on exam = 100.

Don't forget your "tumors" worth 5 extra credit points. Your tumor should be distinctly "Asian" through its nature, costume or placement. The best tumors will receive a place of distinction outside my office.