Two military
commanders rose to power during this period attempting to bring peace and
political stability after the last 100 years of warfare. The Momoyama (Peach Hill) district of Kyoto
became the seat of government while a further 40 years of conflict ensued. Despite the turmoil and an aversion to
earlier “excesses”, a leisured and moneyed upper class rose to support the
arts. Craftsmen from Korea particularly influenced
art and the period is best known for its prolific use of gold and precious
metals.
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| Kenshunmon Gate Imperial Palace Kyoto |
Castle building reached its peak in the 16th century. The concept of fortification was not new, however
following the introduction of gun warfare by Portuguese, castles needed to be
built on larger scale and with better protection. Osaka Castle shows a blending of Japanese and
European styles typical of this evolution. Our nearest brush with fortified walls was to see the outside of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
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| Walls with a story |
One of the greatest innovations of this period was folding or sliding screens. Painted with landscapes, these large screens
were developed for private residences of the affluent. Masters included Sansetsu and Korin
(1658-1716), who was considered outstanding, famous for painting the Rough Waves
(1704) screen. He painted ideal beauty, focusing on abstract rather than
realistic treatment. Korin’s style still
influences modern painters.
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| An elaborate screen from the period (wiki) |
