P1+Samurai+Arts

=P1 Samurai Arts= Tori M. and Sam M.

Samurai were warrior scholars who lived in Ancient Japan and served the emperor. They fought on horseback serving the emperor and guarded the borders of the country. While training as a scholar, Samurai studied three types of art: writing Haikus’, Ikebana, and Landscape Paintings and Gardens. Haikus’ are a form of poetry often about nature that were written in meditation gardens and often displayed as silk screen calligraphy. Haikus’ are a form of poetry inspired from the ethics and techniques of Zen Buddhism. Such detail was appreciated with Ikebana as well. Ikebana is an ancient form of flower arranging. The Japanese didn’t like big prideful bouquets, but rather a single bud or graceful branch. Every detail in Ikebana had a significant meaning as with Landscape Paintings and Gardens. In landscape gardens, every rock and tree meant something. Raked gravels stones represented spiritual cleansing and water. Paintings were displayed in many ways such as rice paper screens, or simply walls. All three of these intricate arts relate to nature and each and every one is special in its own way - just like Samurai were. Samurai were also the leaders of local clans and were at the top of Japan’s strict social class. Only people who were born into a Samurai family could become a Samurai. The literal translation of Samurai is in fact “one who serves”. First, they were trained as scholars, then as warriors. They were expected to appreciate art such as poetry, the theater, flower arranging (Ikebana), the tea ceremony, and many other intricate arts. The tea ceremony is from China through cultural diffusion. Cultural diffusion is also why Japanese calligraphy is similar to Chinese and why the Japanese practice Zen Buddhism. Samurai adopted the techniques and ethics of Zen Buddhism including martial arts and sword skills, hence the fact they are warriors. Although many aspects of Samurai arts are inspired by Zen Buddhism, Shinto is the original Japanese religion that Samurai follow as well. Samurai still strived for perfection to achieve enlightenment (the goal of Zen Buddhism), but this was partially done by meditating which is a part of Shinto as well. Meditating was usually done in landscape gardens where Haikus’ were sometimes written. Haikus’ are one of the three main Samurai Arts. Haikus’ were formally established in 1890 mostly through the efforts of Masaoka Shiki. Haikus’ are one of the important traditional Japanese forms of poetry. Haikus’ are an art form involving formal poetry often related to nature paintings which were sometimes written in meditation gardens and were often displayed as silk screen calligraphy. When writing a haiku, a Samurai’s calligraphy had to be perfect. As in __The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn__ lord Hakuseki wrote a haiku that went like this: //The cherry blossoms // //cover the ground like the heads // //of my enemies //

This is not how haikus’ are supposed to be written. Haikus’ are supposed to peaceful and sometimes a form of meditation. Nowadays Haikus’ are written in three lines with 17 syllables; five on the first line, seven on the second, and five on the third. Many haikus are able present vivid images to the readers. A man named Basho was considered a true master of haiku. Basho lived from the late 1500’s to the early 1600’s. He once wrote what is considered to be the example of perfect Haiku form. When writing Haikus’ there are many details that have to be considered. This is the same with Landscape Paintings and Gardens; every rock and tree branch has a significant meaning.

Landscape Gardens are used for meditating usually in the Zen Buddhism religion. Samurai meditate in these gardens to achieve enlightenment which is the goal of Zen Buddhism. These gardens were a mysterious arrangement of rocks, raked pebbles, and sand, and they always contained a hidden message. The gravel in these gardens represents water and the spiritual cleansing that is so highly respected in Zen Buddhism. Two rocks standing side by side represent Tortoise Island and Crane Island. In Japanese mythology, anyone who sees these islands will become immortal and prosperous. The sand and stone garden itself represents Zen Spiritualism and is usually used for monks to meditate and is often found in Zen monasteries. These landscape gardens are called Ryojin. They are generally rectangular with raked white sand that is enclosed by a tiled-roof and plaster wall. Larger gardens sometimes included flowers and shrubs, wooded groves, shaded pathways, fountains, and ponds with gold swimming around in them. As with the landscape gardens, landscape paintings are also associated with nature and meditation. These paintings usually included illustrated biographies of famous priests. Paintings could be displayed in many ways in Ancient Japan and some ways had their own name. Paintings that were displayed on paper covered sliding doors were called //fusuma,// paintings on folding screens were called //byobu,// paintings that were displayed on single panel screens were called tsuitate, and some paintings were simply displayed on walls and didn’t have a special category or name. In all the Samurai Arts, it seems as if nature is a part of them, which is why Ikebana fits so nicely with the art of Haikus’ and Landscape Paintings and Gardens. Ikebana is another form of the main Samurai Arts. Ikebana is the Japanese name for flower arranging. Many people in Japan study this art form, and many homes in Japan are decorated with flowers. Samurai learned to select flowers and twigs for the art of Ikebana. There are strict rules of the color, grouping, and shape of the flowers. To Japanese the perfect flower arrangement was more than something of beauty. Each and every group of leaves and bend of twig had a special religious meaning. Ikebana was considered to enrich the mind and spirit. To become a Samurai, the skill of Ikebana was required. In all of these three arts, nature seems to be involved. Haikus’ are usually written in meditation gardens and are most often about nature. Ikebana is flower arranging; every twig and branch matters and holds a significant meaning. Landscape Paintings and Gardens //are// nature. Every rock and tree in a landscape garden holds a meaning as with the art of Ikebana. From paintings to poems, it seems like the Japanese are immersed in nature. Haikus’ are usually about nature; spring, summer, the birds chirping outside. Haikus’ are generally written in meditation gardens in Japan, which leads to the landscape paintings and gardens. Landscape gardens are usually used for meditation and every detail in a Japanese garden has a specific meaning. Small things like detail are highly appreciated in Japanese culture, hence the art of Ikebana; intricate yet simply flower arranging. The art of Ikebana is displayed in many homes in Japan and has become a part of the culture. The Japanese don’t like fancy bouquets; they prefer simplicity in nature and appreciate what they have. Haikus’, Ikebana, and Landscape Paintings and Gardens are three intricate forms of art that Samurai study and they all relate to nature in their own way. media type="custom" key="8452444" align="center"

__Citations:__
"Abstract Lotus Traditional". http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-60353167/stock-photo-abstract-lotus-traditional-chinese-ink-and-wash-painting.html. [18 Feb. 2011]. Image. "An Elaborate Flower Arrangement - Ikebana". http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-5581567/stock-photo-an-elaborate-flower-arrangement-ikebana.html. [18 Feb. 2011] Image. Baker, Rosalie F., ed. Samurai. Vol. 3. Peterborough: Cobblestone Publishing, Inc., 1993. Print. Deal, William E. Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan. New York: Facts on File, Inc. 2006. Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. //The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn.// New York: Puffin Books, 1995. Print. "Samurai". http;//www.shutterstock.com/pic-57380065/stock-vector-samurai.html. [21 Feb. 2011] Image. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"Sand and Stone - Ryojin." sand.html. Web. 14 Feb. 2011. Schomp, Virginia. Japan in the Days of the Samurai. New York: Benchmark Books/M. Cavendish, c2002. Print. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Toyomasu. "What is Haiku." HAIKU for PEOPLE. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.