niponica is a web magazine that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world.
2014 No.14
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Splendor and Sparkle in Japanese Culture
Japan’s Dazzling Artistic Traditions
Ornate designs alive with shining color
Playful motifs and shapes can have an astounding impact when brightened with gold and silver.
Medieval armor accentuated with shining gold exudes an air of valiant bravado. The sazae-style helmet, with its hard-shell, thick-horn design favored by military commanders of the day, appears somewhat humorous to the 21st century eye. Dates from the 17th century. Name of helmet: Kingyorin kozane nimai do gusoku. Property of the Tokyo National Museum. (Photo courtesy of TNM Image Archives)
Costume worn by the heroine Agemaki when taking the stage in the famous kabuki play, Sukeroku yukari no Edo-zakura. (Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd.)
Top: The perforated rim of the pot is overlaid with aquatic birds drawn with real gold. Pot name: Iro-e ashikari mon sukashibori soribachi. Property of the Idemitsu Museum of Arts.
Bottom: Shallow bowl with pine trees and snow, set off with gold. Bowl name: Kenzanyaki iroe yukimatsuzu sara. Property of the Yuki Museum of Art, Osaka. (Photo by Miyamura Masanori)
Both ceramics were decorated by the highly original Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743) of the Rinpa school.
Ink stone box strikingly decorated in the Rinpa Makie style, with an animal/plant motif using gold, mother-of-pearl and lead. By Nagata Yuji. Box name: Makishika makie raden ryoshi-bako. 18th century. Property of the Kyoto National Museum.