Reflections of the Japanese society through Illustrated Handscrolls. Examining societal views in Japan through painting techniques and story contexts within illustrated handscrolls

Abstract

This thesis will investigate Japanese societal views from the late Heian period (794 – 1185) to the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333) through the most popular illustrated handscrolls during each respective time-periods. The development of an artistic identity will be examined through different painting techniques and story contexts, corresponding to different time-periods. The ‘Tale of Genji’ handscroll will be analysed in regards to the Heian period (794 – 1185) societal views, the ‘Shigisan-engi’, ‘Choju jinbutsu-giga’, and ‘Ban Dainagon’ handscrolls for the cultural shift during the late Heian period (794 – 1185), and the ‘Tale of Heiji’ for the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333) aesthetics. There is a significant difference between the handscrolls, where a shift in an ideal art style is prominent according to each social shift. The shift goes from the aristocratic lifestyle of elegance, to the comedic and satiric lifestyle of the commoners, and finally to the warrior ethics of the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333). This essay will examine whether it is possible to determine the cultural shift in Japanese society by examining the progression of the Japanese handscrolls from the Heian period (794 – 1185) to the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333).