Flowers and Insects
ARt Schools of JApan
“As nearly all forms of art, early painting had been under the influence of the Chinese culture. By and by, new and specifically Japanese styles were developed and painting schools were established. Each school practised their own style." (HMA) -J
Seven Gods of Good Fortune and Chinese Children
These schools helped to train artists in specific styles of art, and others had a wide variety of art topics to study from. Some of these artists would go on to be court artists, working for the emperor. The creation of these schools revived and refined these art styles, especially after japan was "closed". This gave them more time to focus on culture, namely painting in Japan, and artists became highly respected people in society. In 1657, Edo had a devastating fire, but it revived itself with the expression of critical arts, proving that art was vital to Edo, and became one of the greatest cities for art due to their many schools. Many people looked at art as a way to express themselves, and these schools gave them a chance to learn. These paintings could be made in any way possible, and allowed for the artists to express themselves, while others who looked at these art pieces could use them as guidance on a more spiritual level.-J