Saturday, July 30, 2011

The immortal Chrysanthemum in East Asian art

A Chrysanthemum is an extremely important Asian symbol in the study of Eastern art forms. One should not forget that a chrysanthemum a special kind of plant that is cultivated for its extensive, is ball-shaped flowers. Usually this plant flowers in late summer and autumn seasons. It has a characteristic odor and comes in a variety of colors. These colors would include red, yellow and white. Chrysanthemums are also one of the earliest seasonal and literary themes were observed in Japanese lacquer. She appeared in the 13th century tebako and kogo (incense containers) of the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE). In addition to the fruition in the early autumn season, chrysanthemums forms a metaphor in the art for long life. This is probably due to their prolonged flowering cycle. Additionally, the dew of the Chrysanthemum often considered to be the elixir of immortality. The symbol of a floating in water Chrysanthemum refers to the idea of this kind of immortality in Japanese art. In the Japanese language, it's called "kikusui."

The Chinese poet Tao Yanming (365-427 CE) also had a legendary love of the chrysanthemum. This love was revealed in one of his classic poems in this way: "Picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, quiet I caught a glimpse of the southern mountain." This poem was loved by many mostly because of her essential portrait of the literati lifestyle. This existence involved unrestrained independence vis-à-vis society and employment. It was based on the improvement of a person's soul through travel and intellectual pursuits. In the guarded life of Japanese nobility and samurai warriors who affect the powers of the Government from 1185 until 1868, such an existence as this one seemed ideal. The poet Ki no Tomonori (850-933 CE) is quoted in the Kokinshu and also develops the theme of chrysanthemums. He writes: "If the hoar frost that settles on the hedge overgrown chrysanthemum, In my garden I will melt away desire for you." In this poem, Ki no Tomonori follows the fashion of his day about frustrated, bitter love. The loneliness of the theme is captured in a design on a suzuribako of the early 20th century in the Avant-collection.

Are two fans on the outside of this particular box. They possess landscape designs. One is placed in the upper-right corner, which underlying left a second fan is low. This display shows a composition on the theme of chrysanthemums by a fence bushes near a stream. This recalls the Chrysanthemum theme of both the Chinese and Japanese poetry. There is also the potential for kikusui or "the elixir of immortality". On this fan, chrysanthemums and brush clover from an early fall appear in the foreground lower left. They are counter balanced by cherry blossoms of early spring in the distant trees.

The combination of two fans seems to invite a comparison between the Chinese and Japanese literature. There is Tao Yuan-ming's encomium to the chrysanthemum. A Genji theme or a scene from a play noh seems to also exist in the Japanese way of looking at this work. Neither fan seems to be dominant. The fan in the correct position is first seen by the viewer that reads from right to left. The left fan turns on the right. On the Interior of the box, the artist chosen for a beautiful and modernist treatment for an old theme. The box is elegantly decorated with gold, silver and Brown takamakie. There is also a silver hiramakie detail with a little red and gold kirikane at the black ground.

Often in the study of ancient works of East Asian art, we find this kind of interdependence between two great cultures: China and Japan. In no way does this diminish the historical differences between these two civilizations. However, it suggests that the deep connections in both cultures as Japan is undoubtedly influenced by China. Such connections in the past are therefore important to note while every culture retains its own unique flavor. In any case, the Chrysanthemum is a symbol of immortality, longevity, and even the solitude of a lost love. Chrysanthemum artwork in the Eastern tradition is therefore another excellent addition to your Asian home or Office. The beauty of this symbol gives everyone a sense of the eternal!

Harlan Urwiler answering all questions of your Asian collectibles.

For more information, please feel free to visit my website at: http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.


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