This course will explore developments in medieval Japanese art, starting with the rise of cloistered imperial rule in the eleventh century and ending in the sixteenth century with the violent upheaval of the Sengoku era. From the expressive formations of wood sculpture, to the flowing brushwork of ink painting, to the crackling surfaces of tea ware, students will consider how visual culture embodied this dynamic period in Japanese history. We will begin with an introduction to major historical and cultural movements in Japan’s middle ages, considering the impact of art across social strata. Subsequent class sessions will delve into central themes that shape contemporary understandings of medieval art, including intercultural exchange, materiality and the natural world, and intersections of healing and image-making practices.

The Priest Kūya, Kōshō (fl. 1199–1233), early thirteenth century, wood with paint and inlaid eyes, 117.6 cm, Rokuharamitsu Temple, Kyoto