POST 4

Sesshu “Winter Landscape”





Sesshu is one of Shubun’s pupil, He is regarded as one of the greatest japanese painters of all time (Stokstad 832). Stokstad says “Although Shubun and his followers completed training to become Zen monks at the monastery, they specialized in art rather than in religious ritual of teaching” (Stokstad832). Taking a look at his painting we can see how cultural practices influence his artwork. Looking at his work we can see that there is a trail that leads to a Zen monastery. The work is split by a ragged line down the near the middle of the painting showing snow where the monastery is, and of the other side jagged steep rocks and mountains. The painting is grim the sky is gray giving a feel of the harsh winter they are experiencing. Yet even in this harsh winter we see a man traveling towards the monastery. A testament to the motivation and strength of belief in the Zen monastery that is the center of this artwork.








Taiga “View of Kojima bay”






This painting by Taiga was a piece that gave insight into the area which he was painting. This artwork is interesting because it has two chinese people standing to the right of the mountain in a Japanese city. Stokstad says “Because the city of Kyoto was far from the watchful eyes of the government in Edo, and the emperor resided there with his court, it enjoyed a degree of privilege and independence not found in any other Japanese city” (Stokstad 841). This allows for the influence of chinese culture in Taiga’s painting. The political problems they faced at the time because of a repressive shogunate had the city of Kyoto protest in a civil manner where they would drink chinese influenced tea (Stokstad 841). This painting is a painting of a real Japanese place by including the two chinese people in the painting he is portraying that they have become a part of Japan.








TATTOOED NATIVE OF NUKAHIVA





In the Marquesas islands the art of tattooing was very popular. It was a widespread ancient practice. As Stokstad says “e process of tattooing involves shedding blood, the most tapu (sacred) substance in Polynesia. In the Marquesas, the process for a young man of high social rank began around age 18; by age 30 he would be fully tattooed. Because of the sacredness and prestige of the process, some men continued to be tattooed until their skin was completely covered…” (Stokstad 887). This is previous quote shows how important and integral tattooes where in their culture. Men and women were tattooed and it symbolizes strength courage and sexual attractiveness. The man in the picture has a tattoos all over his body and his weapon is an indication that he is from the Marquesas Islands. His body is completely covered with tattoos and he is posed as if he was modeling for a picture. He is shown in a manner that praises his tattoos. He is only wearing a thin cloth to show all the tattoos on his body.









THE FOUNDING OF TENOCHTITLAN






In this painting which is believed to have been commissioned by Antonio Mendoza, a Spanish Conquistador, meant to be sent to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V so that the emperor could learn about his new colony it tells the story of the Aztec Empire (Stokstad 853). The painting has the layout of the city. Four quadrants separated by waterways show the outlay of the city. The eagle standing on a cactus in the center is the founding of the city. It is said that when the founders were looking for a place to establish their new city they were looking for an eagle that was standing on a cactus. When they found that they founded Tenochtitlan. The page is surrounded by the years (Stokstad 853). On the bottom is shows people battling the Spanish conquered the Aztecs. This style of painting is from an Aztec culture The drawing also shows how the quadrants were managed by leaders. A sophisticated city with an organized government. An image of the Aztec culture this drawing relates to the history of the Aztec empire, and the conquering of it when the Spanish conquistadors conquered it.