Japanese Buddhist poetry and the shadow of life: Henjō (816-890) and Sōgi (1421-1502) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Two short poems by two Buddhist holy men who hail from Japan say much about the shadow of life and the memories that are left behind. It matters not that both poets come from very…
The footsteps of death followed the Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The life of the Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) was short and blighted by ill health from a very early age. Hence, the words that flowed from Shiki were naturally impacted by the shadow of death. However,…
Japanese artist and her colorful and spiritual nuance of Maurice Utrillo Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi is a delightful contemporary Japanese artist who hails from northern Japan. In her latest art piece, she focuses once more on Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955). However, as usual, her nuance to the original by Utrillo is reshaped…
Japanese art depicting a famous holy Buddhist warrior Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Saito no Musashibo Benkei (1155-1189) is a famous and highly esteemed Japanese warrior of the twelfth century. Not only is Benkei revered for his loyalty, prowess, and knowledge but also he is deeply admired for his Buddhist faith. Hence, Benkei’s loyalty…
Sōami (1472-1525) and art of Japan: Aesthetics, Buddhism, and the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist, Sōami, is known for an array of areas linked to high culture in the land of the rising sun. Hence, he is strongly linked to Japanese aesthetics and the power of high culture that…
Art of Japan in the sixteenth century and the sword and the brushstroke Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Kano Eitoku (1543-1590) says much about the various dynamics of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period and the warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582). This applies to the growth of Japanese art and culture despite the warring period…
The Japanese poet Yosa Buson in the shadow of art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yosa Buson (1716-1784) belongs to the world of Japanese poetry because his haiku is highly acclaimed, saying it mildly. This reality means that his art is secondary despite being a distinctive artist. Therefore, while the art of Buson is…
Japanese art and the brief artistic life of Shigeru Aoki (1882-1911) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Shigeru Aoki (1882-1911) blossomed quickly but family problems and then tuberculosis would soon take him from this world. Hence, the promising artistic flower of Aoki parted before even reaching 29. This sad reality means that…
Japanese female poetry of Izumi Shikibu of the tenth and early eleventh century Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Izumi Shikibu and other female poets in Japan during the same period highlights that women played an important part of aspects of Japanese high culture. Of course, in common with much of the…
Artist Shen Quan (Nanpin) and the small window of opportunity in Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Chinese artist Shen Quan (Nanpin) had a limited opportunity and a narrow window to view Japanese culture. This is based on entering the narrow window of Nagasaki for roughly two years because Japan was mainly isolated…
Art Of Buddhism and Shintoism sharing the same Japanese Tree despite the ensuing chaos Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Unlike the Islamist sword that cut down the tree of Buddhism and Hinduism in Afghanistan and other parts of Asia, the faiths and philosophies of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism have impacted greatly on Japan.…
Buddhist art and Sesshū Tōyō: Bodhidharma, Huike, and artistic constraints Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist, Sesshū Tōyō (1420-1506), never questioned his Buddhist faith. Yet, in an artistic sense, he felt constrained by the time of his day. Indeed, the stunning and intriguing art piece titled Huike Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma…
Art of Tokiwa Mitsunaga and the backdrop of political intrigues in twelfth-century Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The period 1156 to 1185 witnessed many important events in Japan that would ultimately lead to a new period in Japanese history. In simple terms, the clash between the clans of Taira and Minamoto would witness…
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire through Japanese eyes: Buddhism, Christianity, and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, who hails from Northern Japan, once more creates a lovely art piece. Spiritually, her background is based on Shintoism and tinged with Buddhism based on the cultural legacy. Yet, in general, the…
Michitsuna no Haha (935-995) and Japanese female literature Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese female writer (diarist) and waka poet Michitsuna no Haha (Michitsuna’s mother) was born in 935 and she passed away in 995. Her writings, or diaries of truth and lament, highlight the trials and tribulations that she faced during her…
Kano Michinobu (1730-1790) and Japanese art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Kano school of art blessed Japan for many centuries after the founding fathers were born in the fifteenth century. However, like all traditional art forms, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and endless modernization would eclipse the longevity of Kano artists. Despite this,…
Poetry and art: Typhoons and earthquakes take asunder to this cold earth Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In a flash, all love that was embraced was over The beauty of the child, the lady, the male, the grandparents, all gone No time to say goodbye or to protect The chanting Buddha, the prayer…
The poetry of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?): Morals of Buddhism and Confucianism in old Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The early life of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) remains shrouded in mystery. Hence, speculation of his birth, be it Paekche in Korea or in Japan is open to debate. Irrespective of this, it is…
Shintoism inside the consciousness of Japanese culture: Art to ghost stories to solace Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The endless winds of modernization and technological innovation is relentless in Japan. Hence, the religious dynamics of old Japan is but a ghost of its former self, just like the erosion of Christian…
Tendai Buddhism and the Monk Jien (1155-1225): Timeless poetry Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Buddhist monk Jien was born in 1155 and he passed away from this world in 1225. Yet, despite the passages of time, his historical writings and poems leave a lasting legacy. Therefore, Jien provides a glimpse into the world…
Japan art and Buddhism: Dreaming of the old night view and the wisdom of Nichiren Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In these two art pieces by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, the theme flows from old Japan to the rich wisdom of the holy Buddhist cleric called Nichiren (1222-1282). In a sense, Utsumi…
Eishōsai Chōki and Japan art: Adorable beauty based on simplicity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Very little is known about the Japanese artist Eishōsai Chōki apart from the rich art he produced. It is widely speculated that he was a pupil under the culturally esteemed Toriyama Seiken just like Utamaro. However, in general, it…
Japanese poetry and Abe no Nakamaro (698-770): Impact of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese scholar and poet, Abe no Nakamaro (698-770), resided in the world of the Middle Kingdom, where the predominance of Chinese culture and influence flowed naturally in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other regional areas. In time,…
Art of Japan and Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781): The Muromachi Period (1336-1573) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) is a very intriguing artist because he wasn’t conventional. Equally important, Shōhaku did not follow the artistic trends of the Tokugawa Period. Instead, he was adamant that his artistic soul should dictate the style he…
Japan artist Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615) and the impact of Buddhism and high culture Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The impact of Buddhism on the art of Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615) is abundantly obvious and the same applies to the role of this faith throughout his life. Of course, Yūshō isn’t alone when it comes to…
Japan art and Mount Fuji: Suzuki Kiitsu in color by Sawako Utsumi and the flow of Sakai Hōitsu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese contemporary artist, Sawako Utsumi, once more produces an adorable art piece based on rinpa (rimpa). In the past, Utsumi heavily focused on Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1828) in relation to rinpa.…
Matsumura Goshun and Japan art: The shadow of death and influence of Yosa Buson Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Matsumura Goshun was born in 1752 during the Edo Period in Japan and he provides an impressive glimpse into the rich heritage of high culture. In the early period of his art,…
Japan art and stunning angle to Sakai Hōitsu who belongs to the Edo Period by Sawako Utsumi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In the latest art piece by Sawako Utsumi, this contemporary artist focuses on the rinpa (rimpa) finesse of Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1828). Hōitsu, himself, adored Ogata Kōrin (1658-1716) and in time he revitalized…
Art of Japan and the Altered Reality of Hiroshige by Van Gogh Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ando (Utagawa) Hiroshige (1797-1858) is one of the most famous Japanese ukiyo-e artists to have impacted greatly internationally. This reality came to the attention of Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) and other European artists of high distinction. Therefore,…
Japan poetry and the female poet Komachi: Heartfelt passion from the distant past Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese female poet, Ono no Komachi, was born in the ninth century. It is widely reported that she was born in 825 and passed away from this cold earth in the year 900. However, the…
Ito Shinsui and Japanese art: Poverty to continuity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) leaves a lasting legacy because he produced many stunning pieces of art. His artwork came to the fore during the Taisho and Showa periods in Japan, whereby he became famous for stunning images of beautiful women.…
Japan poetry and Yosa Buson: Footsteps of Matsuo Basho Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) in Japan is highly acclaimed because his haiku reached the hearts of many. Indeed, despite being a distinctive artist during the Edo Period, it is his haiku that stands out. Hence, the fame that…
