Visual Arts in Edo Japan

Visual Arts

Before the reformation of Japan into the Meiji Period, Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, a dynasty that enforced peace and prosperity among the Japanese people. The Tokugawa dynasty was a long lasting rule. However, they held strict policies against external influence, closing their society off from western influence and the spread of Christianity. As the dynasty drew to a close and the shogunate became weaker, Japan was overtaken by a seemingly bloodless coup as new clans rose to power. This shift into the Meiji Period brought with it rapid social change. It's leaders were very progressive, inviting change and encouraging the exploration of new ideas as Japan quickly entered into international commerce.
With the rapid change, artists were thrown into crisis. Some artists wished to stick to tradition, while others embraced the new western methods of art. From this crisis, two major schools of Japanese art emerged: Yoga and Nihonga.

Yoga came first with the explosion of new ideas. Yoga is the focus on new techniques in Japanese art. It refers specifically to oil painting, but also encompasses all western influenced art.
Notable artists of this school of art were: Asai Chu, Yororzu Tetsugoro, and Yuzo Saeki.

Nihonga came shortly after Yoga. It is charactersized by its return to tradition. It's main focus was time honored, traditional Japanese techniques and material.
Notable artists of this school of art were: Kano Hogai, Hashimoto Gaho, Shimomura Kanzan, Yokoyama Taikan, and Hishida Shunso.

Nihonga also housed a number of smaller art schools. One such school being Kano, known as the most traditional art techniques and the most preserving of art tradition.