Summer School 2010: Course 18
Japanese Buddhist Art and its Contexts from the
6th to the 18th centuries: an Introduction
Dr Meri Arichi
26–30 July 2010

For further details and to book, please contact:
Short Courses
The Courtauld Institute of Art
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN
T: 020 7 848 2678
E: Short.courses@courtauld.ac.uk
Website:www.courtauld.ac.uk/publicprogrammes/index.shtml

Summer School 2010

A variety of week-long intensive art history courses at one of the word’s leading Institutes for the study of art history and conservation. Open to everyone over the age of 18. 

Course 18 is entitled ‘Japanese Buddhist Art and its Contexts from the 6th to the 18th centuries: an Introduction’ and will be conducted by Dr Meri Arichi.

Phoenix Hall, Kyoto, photo © Meri Arichi

Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century from China via Korea. The Nihonshoki, the oldest surviving history of Japan, states that in the year 552 the King of Korea sent an envoy to Emperor Kinmei of Japan with gifts of Buddhist scripture, ritual paraphernalia, and a gilt bronze statue of the Buddha. This passage indicates that images played an important role in propagating the faith from the earliest stage. The adoption of Buddhism by the ruling class encouraged the building of temples, the creation of images, and encouraged the study of Buddhist doctrine in Japan. The establishment of new sects during the medieval period resulted in the diversification of Buddhist teaching. The styles of architecture, sculpture and paintings reflect the different emphasis placed by each school. Over the centuries Buddhism exerted a profound influence on the formation of Japanese culture, and the rich heritage of Buddhist art surviving in many temples and museums today provide valuable glimpse into the history and society in Japan.

This course will examine works of art dating from the 6th to the 18th century, and consider the doctrinal, philosophical, and social contexts in which Buddhist art functioned in Japan.