乐播传媒

A Case Study of Heian Japan through Art: Japan's Four Great听Emaki -听Lesson

Essay
尝别蝉蝉辞苍听
Images
Handouts (pdf)

听

by Jaye Zola, Retired Teacher and Librarian, Boulder Valley Schools
Print PDF

Introduction:

听听听听听听听听听听听 Teachers are encouraged to read听鈥淗eian Japan: An Introductory Essay,鈥�听by historian Ethan Segal, prior to conducting this lesson. The introductory essay may also be assigned to students with advanced reading abilities (grades 11-12). The essay provides context for this lesson by describing key points of Japanese history during the Heian Period.

听听听听听听听听听听听 The Heian period is considered the peak of the Japanese aesthetic tradition. Art, poetry, and literature permeated court life. As Dr. Segal points out, during the Heian period the Japanese moved away from Chinese models in the arts, as well as in government.听Emakimono听or听emaki, narrative picture scrolls, often called hand scrolls, provide an excellent case study of the period because they came to Japan via China but developed into a distinctly Japanese art form in the Heian period. In addition, analysis of the varied scrolls of the period can provide insights into the highly refined court culture, politics, and religion in the late Heian period.

听听听听听听听听听听听 This lesson uses four remarkable hand scrolls of the period that have survived to the present, each providing evidence on aspects of Heian life. The nobility appreciated and cultivated the culture of beauty, manners, and ritual as is reflected in the great听Genji Monogatori emaki (Illustrated Tale of Genji). Buddhist art was central to court life as the focus for prayers and ritual, and the听Shigisan engiemaki听(Legends of Mt. Shigi听scroll) showed the respect for monks, myth, and magic. Changes in power and their impact on religious life are reflected in the satirical听Ch艒j奴 giga听(Scroll of Frolicking Animals). Court intrigue and everyday life are portrayed in the听Ban Dainagon ekotoba (The Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon). In this lesson, students observe, analyze, and interpret these four scrolls in order to learn about the different aspects of Heian life.

听听听听听听听听听听听 The lesson opens with a brief teacher-directed introduction to听emaki. 乐播传媒 then individually analyze one of the four scrolls. They then form pairs to compare two scrolls and finally connect with another pair to create a foursome with a member 鈥渆xpert鈥� on each of the scrolls. After students have shared their analyses of the four scrolls, they work in their foursomes to create a preview poster for a museum exhibit featuring the four听emaki.听The lesson ends with a class discussion of what can be learned from the scrolls about Heian Japan.

Objectives:

听听听听听听听听听听听 At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be better able to:

• Describe how the听Genji Monogatari emaki听(Illustrated Tale of Genji),听Ch艒j奴 giga听(Scroll of Frolicking Animals),听Shigisan engi emaki (Legends of Mt. Shigi), and the听Ban Dainagon ekotoba (The Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon) represent听emaki听as an art genre.
• Describe Japanese life during the Heian period.
• Interpret a primary source document.
• Use pictorial evidence to create and support a thesis.
• Demonstrate visual literacy by analyzing a work of art within its original historical, political, economic, religious, or social contexts

Vocabulary:

• Ban Dainagon ekotoba: scroll called听The Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon听in English
• Ch艒j奴 giga:听scroll called听Scroll of Frolicking Animals听in English
• emaki听or听emakimono: a hand scroll, usually with ink painting on paper; they are occassionally made of silk
• engi: narrative about the origin of a place, usually a temple
• Genji Monogatari emaki: illustrated hand scroll of听The Tale of Genji
• Heian period听(794-1185): historic period when the Imperial court was located in Heian-ky艒 (modern Kyoto), known for its elegant court life and artistic contributions
• Parody: (1) a literary work that mocks an idea, person, place, or thing by mimicking it in a humorous fashion; (2) the techniques used in a parody
• Satire: (1) a literary or artistic work that uses irony, derision, and wit to ridicule human actions, beliefs, and customs to expose the foibles and follies of humans; (2) the techniques used in satire
• Shigisan engi emaki:听scroll called听Legends of Mt. Shigi听in English

Materials and Advance Preparation:听

Make enough copies of Handouts H1 through H4 for one-fourth of the class to have each. Make copies of Handouts H5 through H7 for all students. Handouts H8 and H9 are optional: Handout H8 provides background on the Heian period while Handout H9 is an art lesson. Gather poster paper and markers. Finally, print the scroll selections from the Internet sites listed below. You will need enough copies of the selections from each scroll for one-fourth of the class. Alternatively, if you have enough computers for every two students to have a computer, you could download the visuals and make them available at the classroom computers or allow students to access the visuals directly from the Internet; they can start from the听Heian Japan Online Image List听to find the appropriate images.鈥�

• Genji Monogatari听emaki听(The Illustrated Tale of Genji)

• Shigisan engi emaki听(Legends of Mt. Shigi)
  听
  • 
    听
  • 
    听
• Ban Dainagon ekotoba听(The听Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon)
  听
  • 
    听

听听听听听听听听听听听Bibliographic information on the images:

• Ch艒j奴 giga听(Scroll of Frolicking Animals)
  Detail from scroll 1,Ch艒j奴 giga, showing a religious service; mid-twelfth century; hand scroll, ink on paper, height 12陆 in.; K艒zanji, Kyoto

• Genji Monogatari听emaki听(The Illustrated Tale of Genji)听听
  First image: Illustration 2 from the 鈥�Suzumushi鈥� chapter of听Genji monogatari emaki; first half of twelfth century; hand scroll, ink and color on paper; Gotoh Art Museum, Tokyo
  Second image: Illustration 3 from the 鈥�Kashiwagi鈥漜hapter of听Genji monogatari emaki; first half of twelfth century; hand scroll, ink and color on paper; Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya

• Shigisan engi emaki听(Legends of Mt. Shigi)听
  First image: Illustration from听Shigisan engi emaki, showing bales of rice sent to My艒ren; second half of twelfth century; hand scroll; ink and color on paper; Ch艒gonsonshiji, Nara
  Second image: Illustration from听Shigisan engi emaki, showing My艒ren sending back the rice; second half of twelfth century; hand scroll, ink and color on paper; Ch艒gonsonshiji, Nara

• Ban Dainagon ekotoba听(The Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon)
  Details from scroll 1,听Ban Dainagon ekotoba, attributed to Tokiwa Mitsunaga; second half of twelfth century; hand scroll, ink and color on paper, height 12-3/8 in.; Sakai Tadahiro Collection, Tokyo

Time Required:听2-3 class periods

Procedure:

1. Introduce the activity by explaining to students that they will be using art as a primary source document to learn about life in Japan during the late Heian period. The documents they will be using are听emaki听or hand scrolls that are from the late Heian period. (See听Teacher Background Information听for more information about scrolls.) If students are not familiar with hand scrolls, make sure they understand how they were read and viewed. Explain that the students will use this pictorial evidence to develop their understanding about the historical, political, and religious life of the nobility and Buddhist clergy at this time. If students need background about the Heian period, Handout H8 provides such information.
   听

2. Organize students into four groups. Using the jigsaw method, students will work individually, then form pairs to compare two scrolls, and finally connect with another pair to compare four scrolls. In the end, the foursome will have one student who is an expert on each scroll. In deciding who gets what scroll, note that the听Ch艒j奴 giga听(Scroll of Frolicking Animals) is probably the most difficult to analyze because of its use of parody and satire. Give each group one of the four scrolls and accompanying听handout:听
   听
   • Ch艒j奴 giga听(Scroll of Frolicking Animals),听Handout H1
   • Genji Monogatari听emaki听(The Illustrated Tale of Genji),听Handout H2
   • Shigisan engi emaki听(Legends of Mt. Shigi),听Handout H3
   • Ban Dainagon ekotoba听(The Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon),听Handout H4

   Give each student a copy of Handout H5, which provides instruction for analyzing the scrolls. Explain that the first step in the lesson will be individual examination of the scroll panels.听
   听

3. Let students work individually for 5 to 10 minutes, completing the questions on Handout H5. Explain that they will have a chance to explore more with their group.
   听

4. Have students discuss their answers in the group that shares the same scroll. Encourage students to clarify their responses and answer questions before they meet with students from another group. Provide 10 minutes to talk with each other.
   听

5. Regroup students into pairs. Put one听Genji Monogataristudent with one听Shigisan engi听student until everyone has a partner. Pair one听Ban Dainagon听student with one听Ch艒j奴 giga听student. Pass out Handout H6 to each student; this handout calls for students to create a Venn diagram showing the similarities and differences between the two scrolls. Have the pairs use Handout H5 and each other鈥檚 scroll panels in completing this diagram. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for students to analyze and complete the handout.听
   听

6. For the final regrouping, put student pairs together to form groups of four representing the four scrolls. Give students 20 minutes to look at the four scrolls and share their observations from Handout H6.
   听

7. After students have shared, explain that each group is going to create a preview poster for a museum exhibit featuring the four听emaki. They are to create a poster 鈥渢easer鈥� that will get people interested in the exhibit. Distribute poster paper and markers, along with Handout H7, which provides instructions for this activity. Allow 30 minutes for the groups to create their posters. Post the posters around the room and let students examine them.听
   听

8. Debrief the activity by discussing the question from Handout H7: What can we learn about Japan in the late Heian period from the scrolls?听
   听

Assessment:

听听听听听听听听听听听Handouts H5 and H6 can be used for assessment, as can the posters created in Step 7. 乐播传媒 should use examples from the social, religious, and political issues of the late Heian period. Some of those themes might include a satirical look at the changes in power from aristocratic families to ex-emperors, increasing wealth and competition between different sects of Buddhism, wealth and opulence of the court, political quarrels, and the influence of myth and miracles.

Extension/Enrichment:

听听听听听听听听听听听If you would like to incorporate more art analysis into the lesson, have students use Handout H9, which requires them to look at the artistic characteristics of the scrolls.
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 乐播传媒 could create their own scrolls centered around a fable, story, or battle or making a social commentary. The teacher might want to make a copy of a scroll as an example for students to see. It could be posted in the room so students could view the entire work. The complete听.

Teacher Background Information on听Emaki

听听听听听听听听听听听The听emakimono听or听emaki听is a horizontal illustrated narrative scroll that is distinctly Japanese. Its predecessors originated in India and, along with Buddhism, came to Japan through China. Scrolls were used to depict stories of historical events, provide religious commentary, illustrate works of fiction and poetry, or serve as a form of creative expression for the artist.听
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 Scrolls were most often made of paper or occasionally from silk. They were attached to a wooden dowel at the left end and then rolled up for storage on shelves or in boxes. The story or narrative was read by unrolling the scroll a little at a time, from right to left, like Japanese is written. Japanese is traditionally written in vertical lines from right to left so the format of scrolls, with the text alternating with pictures, was a format compatible with Japanese writing conventions. The scenes developed in movie-like fashion, unrolling the narrative for the viewer. After the scroll was viewed, it was rolled up.听
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 Pictures were drawn with ink, painted, or stamped. The ink or water-soluble colors were applied with animal-hair brushes. There was no way to correct a mistake or to repaint, as can be done with oil or acrylic paint. Planning ahead was important; because painting was done on the spot, the result was a spontaneity and freshness to the work. Work was intense because a single brush stroke could ruin a scroll. 听
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 Scrolls were generally 8 to 20 inches in height and could reach up to 60 feet in length. A story could take from one to as many as ten scrolls. Scrolls were enjoyed as they were unrolled with one or two feet viewed at a time. The gradual revealing of the story was what gave the scroll its life; the effect is lost when the whole length is spread out. Some of the scenes were independent, and some were pictures that evolved from the right to the left within one 鈥渇rame.鈥� The artist illustrated time and place as the scroll was unrolled.听
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 A feature of note is the absence of definite borders for the scenes. In European, Indian, and Persian art, most pictures are carefully framed. Frequently in Japanese听emaki, diagonal lines of buildings and slanting spaces are used to restrict the focus of attention and to highlight certain features. A diagonal structure that runs down the right will point to a certain event or object at the left side of a scene. Figures leaving always face left and those arriving always face right.听
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 The Japanese were the first to develop this genre, which is thought to have influenced the later development of woodblock prints. (Some scholars even claim a link between听emaki听and听manga听and听anime, but others refute the claim.) The typically Japanese form of painting seen in the听emaki, depicting local life and landscape, is known as听yamato-e,听signifying a native Japanese subject matter. The听yamato-e听developed during the Heian period. Previously, Chinese scenery and styles dominated Japanese art.
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 The most famous Japanese narrative hand scroll that was created during the late Heian period is the听Genji Monogatari听emaki. It depicts important scenes from听The Tale of Genji, Japan's first and perhaps most important novel. The听Shigisan engi听emaki听(Legends of Mt. Shigi) illustrates a folktale about the miracles associated with the founding of a temple. The听Ban Dainagon听ekotoba听(The Tale of the Courtier Ban Dainagon) is an historical account about court intrigue, concerning events of the 艑temmon Conspiracy. The听Ch艒j奴听giga听(Scroll of Frolicking Animals) is a humorous caricature of animals acting like humans.
听听听听听听听听听听听听
听听听听听听听听听听听 It is unclear who created most of these scrolls. Only the听Ban Dainagon听ekotoba听can be confidently attributed to the court painter Tokiwa Mitsunaga. Some scholars attribute the听Ch艒j奴 gigaand the听Shigisan engi听scrolls to the Buddhist clergyman Toba S艒j艒. The听Genji Monogatari听emaki听is believed to date from the first half of the twelfth century, as is the听Ch艒j奴 giga. The听Shigisan engi听emaki听dates from after 1150, and the听Ban Dainagon听ekotoba听was created between 1157 and 1180.

Teacher Resources:

Addiss, Stephen, and Audrey Yoshiko Seo,听How to Look at Japanese Art听(New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996).

Hall, John Whitney, et al.,听The Cambridge History of Japan, Vol. 2: Heian Japan, Donald H. Shively and William H. McCullough, eds. (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1999).

Mason, Penelope,听History of Japanese Art, rev. ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ : Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005).

听

Created 漏 2008 Program for Teaching East Asia, 乐播传媒.听