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In this padlet you will learn about bonsai and ikebana in medieval Japan. You will learn about the nature of the the cultural practices, the origins, the religious influences and the shogunate influences on bonsai and ikebana.

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The medieval cultural practices of bonsai and ikebana were significantly influenced by the shogunate and the religious beliefs of Zen Buddhism through meditation and the focus on calmness, simplicity and self-growth.

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For the people that lived in Shogunate Japan, life was heavily based on the importance of family and one’s status in society. Several generations of the family lived in the same house, the father was the head of the household. He had the responsibility of looking after the rest of the family. The women however had to obey the male leader of the household and had to do all of the house work. Respect for the elders of the family was very important as they “were the keepers of wisdom” (Clyne et al, 2012, 205). The four – tier social hierarchy in Shogunate Japan was based on the Confucian belief that a person only held a high status in society if they made a valuable contribution to society. The emperor and the shogun sat above the four – tier hierarchy. The emperor was the symbolic leader of Japan and the shogun was the military leader. The four – tier hierarchy started with the warrior class which consisted of noble families, daimyo and samurai. The warrior class gained their wealth from the taxes that they collected from the people who worked and lived on their land. The noble families however owed their positions to the emperor who in return expected their loyalty and service. The next class in the hierarchy were the farmers and the peasants. Farmers and peasants were meant to hold a high status in society but they were disregarded and taxed. Artisans and craftsmen came next in the hierarchy.  These people held a low status in society as they did not make anything that was greatly needed in day to day life. At the bottom of the hierarchy were the merchants. Merchants were at the bottom as they made a living without producing anything of value. There was another group of people outside the social hierarchy, these people were the outcasts. If a person’s job was considered unclean by Shinto or Buddhist beliefs, they were classed as an outcast. These jobs included undertakers, butchers, tanners and public executioners. A person was also considered an outcast if they had committed a crime or was a Samurai who did not have a master. “People who lived in Medieval Japan understood that they had a place in the social structure” (Clyne et al, 2012, 202). Shogunate Japan was well structured as they strongly believed in the importance of family and because of the strict social hierarchy.

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The Japanese people grew small trees in pots commonly known as bonsai which grew for many decades. Bonsai trees are grown in containers in such a way so that they look their most beautiful. Bonsai trees remain small due to the many techniques of maintaining them. Some of these techniques include pinching buds, trimming foliage and roots and wiring branches. The most popular varieties of bonsai trees are pines, maples and cherry trees. “The main factor in maintaining bonsai is the elimination of everything except for the most important parts of the plant.” (Somerset Bonsai Club, 2016.)  Bonsai trees are continuously growing, so there is never a finished bonsai, it is an ongoing project.

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Why Was Bonsai Created And How Did The Shogunate Influence Bonsai?











 

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Why Was Bonsai Created And How Did The Shogunate Influence Bonsai?











 

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Bonsai originated in China in 700 AD and was created by the Chinese Zen Monks, bonsai was also strongly influenced by the Shogunate. The Zen monks that brought bonsai to Japan needed to find beauty in the severe austerity that they were living in, so they developed their tray landscapes along strict guidelines so that “a single potted plant could represent the whole universe” (Somerset Bonsai Club, 2016). Bonsai was introduced into Japan in the Kamakura period which started in 1185 and ended in 1333. When bonsai originated in China it was a very basic style then known as pun-sai. Pun-sai was the process of growing single specimen plants in pots, these plants often “displayed meagre foliage and contorted roots” (Somerset Bonsai Club,2016). By the 14th century, bonsai was viewed as a highly sophisticated art from. It was in the Tokugawa period between 1600 and 1868 that bonsai reached its peak in Japan.  When bonsai reached its peak the art form evolved into a much higher understanding and refinement of nature. During the time of the Shogunate, bonsai became available to the general public, which “firmly established the art form in the customs and traditions of Japan” (Somerset Bonsai Club, 2016). It was because of the Zen monks and the Shogunate that bonsai has developed the way it has.

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What Was The Nature Of Ikebana And Why Was It Created?

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What Was The Nature Of Ikebana And Why Was It Created?

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In Shogunate Japan, the Japanese arranged flowers for enjoyment, as a religious offering and as a form of meditation, these arrangements are called Ikebana. Ikebana aims at bringing nature and humanity closer together. The shapes, forms and colours of the flowers are very important, unlike western customs, emphasis was put on the flower’s stems and leaves. The most elaborate arrangements that ikebana artists have created have been up to 7 to 10 meters high and they incorporated “religious and moral concepts as well as landscape symbolism” (Bonsai Empire, 2000). Ikebana was introduced into Japan in the 6th century, it was primarily created as a religious offering but it was also used as a form of meditation. Ikebana originated from the Buddhist flower offering ritual which involved offering flowers to the altar in honour of the Buddha. Zen monks practised ikebana as it helped them meditate. Ikebana helped with meditation as the monks would study ways of arranging the flowers, leaves and branches in complete silence (Richardson, 2005). The Japanese did not study art for the sake of studying art but for enjoyment, religious and meditational reasons.

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How Did The Shogunate Influence Ikebana?

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How Did The Shogunate Influence Ikebana?

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For a period of 670 years from 1192 - 1868 the Shoguns ruled Japan, this time period was called the Shogunate . When ikebana originally came to Japan from China, the Buddhist flower offering rituals were very informal. In the 10th century however, ikebana was formed into more prescribed rituals in which flowers were offered in containers. Ikebana changed over time from a Buddhist religious offering where petals were strewn around on the ground, to a form of decoration which was showcased in the Tokonoma. In the 15th century ikebana took off as an art form independent of it religious origins. Over time ikebana developed from “minimalistic arrangements into more contemporary and decorative designs” (Bonsai Empire, 2000). During the 670 years that the Shogunate ruled Japan, ikebana changed from a Buddhist religious offering to a decoration in the Japanese house.

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Minimalism - a movement in sculpture and painting which arose in the1950's characterised by the use of simple, massive forms.

Quell - put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force.

Bonsai - the art of growing ornamental dwarfed varieties of trees and shrubs in pots.

Ikebana - the art of Japanese flower arrangement, with formal display according to strict rules.

Meagre - lacking in quality and or quantity.

Tokonoma -  a recess or alcove, typically a few inches above floor level, for displaying flowers, pictures and ornaments.

Aristocracy - the highest lass in certain societies, typically comprising of people of noble birth holding hereditary titles and offices.

Austerity - the condition of living without unnecessary things.

Filial Piety - a virtue of respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors

Illusory - based on illusion

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Ikebana arrangements have changed a lot over time. Today ikebana is practised by being able to incorporate glass, metal and plastic into arrangements. These three elements reflect the enormous variety of schools that provide instruction to “over 1 million regular students across the world” (Sosnoski, 1918). Ikebana is not an art form that can only be practised by the Japanese but by anyone and everyone.

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Bonsai today is practised in many different ways. Bonsai is an important part of Japanese culture and artistic tradition and is enjoyed as a hobby by members of the general public. After Japan came out of voluntary isolation in the mid - 19th century, word spread extremely fast about bonsai to the rest of the world and soon afterwards books were published about bonsai and conventions all around the world were held. Today “more than 1200 people from 32 countries across the world attend the world bonsai convention” (Kids Web Japan, 2016). Bonsai has evolved to provide enjoyment to all classes and religions worldwide.

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Bonsai Empire. (2000) Ikebana. Retrieved 18/9/2016 from                      www.bonsaiempire.com/origin/related-arts/ikebana

Clyne, J., Serby, R., Leeds,  M., Frappell, S., Cummins, N., Cashman, L., & Meehan, M. (2012) History 8: The ancient and modern world . South Yarra, Victoria: Macmillan.

Kids Web Japan(2016)What are Bonsai? Retrieved 18/9/2016 from
www.web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/bonsai/bonsai01.html

Richardson, H. (2005) Life in Ancient Japan. Coburg North, Victoria: Cabbagetree Publishing Company.

Sosnoski, D. (1918) Introduction to Japanese Culture. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing

Taunton and Somerset Bonsai Club (2016) History of Bonsai. Retrieved 5/10/2016 from https://somersetbonsaiclub.wordpress.com/bonsai-history

People of Our Everyday Life (2016) Zen Buddhism’s Influence On Art. Retrieved 28/9/2016 from www.peopleofoureverydaylife.com/zen-buddhisms-influence-art-5859.html

Prezi. (2013) Religion In Shogunate Japan. Retrieved 27/9/2016 from https://prezi.com/1x08ysqzdgyo/religion-in-shogunate-japan/

Zen Buddhism (2011) Zen and the Japanese Arts. Retrieved 10/10/2016 from www.zen-buddhism.net/arts/zen-and-arts.html

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What Were The Three Main Religions In Japan

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What Were The Three Main Religions In Japan

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In Shogunate Japan three main religions were practised, these were Buddhism, Shintoism and Confucianism.

Buddhism came to Japan in the 6th century CE. Usually Buddhism was only practised by the wealthier aristocrats in the Japanese hierarchy. In Buddhism there is also Zen Buddhism which focuses on teaching the importance of discipline and meditation. The Samurai who were usually Zen Buddhist also have a very strong belief in discipline. They believed in a special code called Bushido which meant that if they dishonoured their master they would have to kill themselves, this meant that the samurai had to be very disciplined. Buddhists believe that “all acts of human nature are important and should be treated as acts of art” (Clyne et al, 2012,200)

Shintoism is the oldest belief system in Japan. In Shintoism there is a strong connection with nature as they believe that sacred spirits called kami can be found in all aspects of nature such as in mountains, rivers and rocks. It is believed that the kami can influence all aspects of a person’s life such as creativity, healing and disease. In Shintoism if a person dies they join the spirit world as kami and their family can honour and respect them and other ancestors at shrines. They can also worship in temples as they are designed to “cleanse evil spirits from the world” (Clyne et al, 2012, 197).

Confucian beliefs came to Japan when Confucius a Chinese thinker and writer came to Japan in the 3rd century CE. Confucian beliefs are based on behaviour. The behaviour that Confucian beliefs are based on are respect for one’s elders, correct social relationships, worship of ancestors and the importance of family. In Confucianism, family was a model for government.  The emperor was in charge of the nation just like the father was in charge of the family and everybody had to obey them. Confucius had a large belief in filial piety which is the respect for parents, elders and ancestors. Finally, Confucius believed that “everybody should live in a manner that brings good only to themselves and therefore to others” (Clyne et al, 2012, 201). Religion was a huge part of everyday life for the people who lived during the time of the Shogunate rule.

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What Religious Beliefs Influenced Ikebana?

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What Religious Beliefs Influenced Ikebana?

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Ikebana was strongly influenced by the unique philosophy of Zen Buddhism. Ikebana developed from the Buddhist flower offering rituals where they offered flowers to spirits of the dead and in honour of the Buddha. Over time ikebana was transformed by Zen Buddhism into a spiritual discipline that was heavily focused on calmness, simplicity and self-growth. When practising ikebana with a Zen attitude, the mind stays in the now, being fully aware of the illusory material world that surrounds us. When ikebana is practised with Zen Buddhist principles in mind it is “A peaceful journey that can lead to serenity and concentration” (Zen Buddhism, 2011). Zen Buddhism played a very important role in the Japanese art of Ikebana.

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What Religious Beliefs Influenced Bonsai

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What Religious Beliefs Influenced Bonsai

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Bonsai was strongly influenced by Zen Buddhist beliefs.  Bonsai was introduced into Japan in the Kamakura period by the Zen Buddhist monks. Everyday tasks for the Zen monks were a form of meditation. According to ‘People of Our Everyday Life’ (2016) this included pulling weeds out of bonsai gardens, trimming foliage and pinching buds. Many art forms in Shogunate Japan were based on Zen Buddhist beliefs.