ARTH304 Art of Japan Final Exam To Mrs. Pia Brancaccio June 13th, 2013

1. Please select two works of Buddhist art from the Early Heian Period and explain: a. The political transition from Nara to Heian period. b. The religious changes we see taking place in Japan during this time. c. The main features of Buddhist art and architecture in the early part of the Heian period. Please include in your discussion an explanation on how these works of art and architecture were used by religious practitioners. Works selected: • Interior of the kondo, Kanshinji, Osaka, fig.151, page125 • Taizokai (Womb World) of Ryokai Mandara, fig.152, page126 The Heian period (794-1185) takes its name from the new capital established in 794 at Heian, or Capital of Peace and Tranquility, a variation on the Tang Chinese capital’s name of Chang’an (Everlasting Peace). The shift in power from the Buddhist community back into the hands of the powerful aristocratic family is fully realized early this period (794-951). Buddhism was allowed only a limited presence within the capital itself, reorients itself into esoteric cults focused on complex philosophies and rituals as well as into more populist “saviour” movement that helped for the first time spread the religion widely amongst the common people.One of the major events of the Early Heian period, the introduction into Japan of Tendai and Shingon Buddhism was precipitated by the loss of direction on the part of the Buddhism community that had led to the relocation of the capital. It was felt by some that the teachings and rituals of the six schools of Nara were aimed primarily at securing material benefits for the state and for their wealthy aristocratic patrons, and not at spiritual attainment and Enlightenment. Among the new Shingon objects for worship were the pairs of mandala images: the Ryokai Mandala made up of diagrams of the two worls,