203: Night Attack on Sanjo Palace
1. According to the scroll, describe the ideal view of the Japanese soldier
Japanese soldiers demonstrated that the military class held political power. The ideal form of the warrior reflected the desires of the aristocracy.
2. How to Japanese picture scrolls work? How do they show narratives (and this one in particular)?
Japanese scrolls read from right to left and all of the action flows to the left.
3. What western artwork would you compare this to and why?
I would compare this to The Screen with the Siege of Belgrade and Hunting Scene because of the way that the screen is like a scroll. They both depict a battle scene and show political importance and power. Both works display a chaotic event that could be read different ways.
204: David Vases
1. What is porcelain and how was it made? Why was it so important to China?
Porcelain was the transformation of ordinary clay into other objects. Porcelain was usually fired in oxidation or reduction. It was produced in China and made for the imperial court, the domestic market, or for exported in large quantities.
2. How are these Vases typical of China at the time? How does it reflect trade during this time?
Chinese ceramics were a vehicle for the worldwide exchange of ornamental styles and influenced the ceramics of importing countries as China was influenced by them. Because porcelain was first made in China and their unique decorating techniques such as blue - and - white porcelain and different underglazes, the vases were produced in large quantities due to high demand and were very typical of China during that time.
3. Compare this to another artwork that you have studied in terms of function and/or design
The David Vases are like the Beaker with Ibex Motifs. They are similar because they are decorated similarly and depict nature scenes and symbols. Both also served practical functions.
206: The Forbidden City
1. How is the Forbidden City laid out in terms of structure and design?
The Forbidden City's layout followed the idea cosmic order in Confucian ideology. This ensured that every activity in this city were conducted in the manner appropriate to the participants' social and familial roles. The architectural style also reflects hierarchy and each building was designed for different ranks in Chinese social structure.
2. What were the different buildings used for and what do they say about Chinese leadership during this era?
The Forbidden City was the political and ritual center of China for around 500 years. The buildings were designed for different ranks in Chinese social structure which shows that Chinese leadership was based largely on social hierarchy. The emperor had a supreme status
3. Compare this to a western piece of architecture and relay similarities that you see.
The Forbidden City is like Versailles due to the fact that both were to display the political and supreme power of the ruler at that time to some extent. They were both extravagantly decorated, the Forbidden City with bright colors and Versailles with expensive landscaping and interior decorations.