Review article
https://doi.org/10.32728/tab.18.2021.5
THE EMERGENCE OF ARTISTIC INSTITUTIONS AND ARTISTIC TERMINOLOGY IN JAPAN DURING THE MEIJI PERIOD
Stefani Silli
Abstract
In the periods of Edo (1600–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912), numerous changes took place in the art world that affected the foundations of basic social and political structures in Japan. The present paper provides a concise overview of the emergence of art institutions and relevant terminology in Japan at the turning point of Japanese history, i.e., during the Meiji period, with special emphasis on fine arts, especially the concept of bijutsu. The aim of this paper is to present and analyze the influence of cultural, political, social and economic conditions of the Meiji period on the adoption and implementation of government measures to preserve the objects of fine art and antiquities and the establishment of various art associations and educational institutions related to art. The paper offers clarification of the background to a new categorization in the field of art, and, specifically, how the term bijutsu, as opposed to geijutsu, was introduced considering the historical and social circumstances. Furthermore, it was established that the difficulties with the Western concept of art, including its classification, art education and the exhibition of art objects, resulted in various debates about its authenticity of expression and the very identity of Japanese art, since Japan originally did not have European postromantic concept of individual subjectivity and original expressiveness. The debates are still relevant today, representing a valuable topic for further research.
Keywords
Japanese art; Meiji period; bijutsu; nihonga; yōga
Hrčak ID:
265769
URI
Publication date:
24.11.2021.
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