Posted by To Jerry on November 24, 1999 at 00:25:12:
In Reply to: what philosophical theories are there in Japanese woodcut art posted by Jerri Latimer on October 30, 1999 at 21:59:16:
Hi Jerry,
That's an interesting question. I'll give my version of an answer.
Ukiyo-e are remarkable in being for the most part entirely non-intellectual. They praised pleasure, beauty, style and entertainment. In that, they were not unlike contemporary posters of movie stars and pretty girls, with an occasional landscape or picture of a tough guy.
However, nothing is without intellectual background and significance, even the anti-intellectual. Perhaps if you change the "behind" of your question to an "in" you might have more answers.
Ukiyo-e, in stresssing a hedonistic, pleasure-based view of the world were an implicit challenge to the Confucianism that was the dominant political ideology of the time. Furthermore, in developing a culture of the city commoners (chonin) they established an alternative worldview for this class, giving them cultural--if not political--clout. Though relying heavily on themes from classical art/literature, ukiyo-e often parodied these themes, taking a satirical stance towards traditional culture and the dominant ideology.
Please post your paper's highlights when you're through.
\
: Hi,
: I hope that someone can help me. I am doing a paper for class on Japanese Woodcut art (wood print art)
: And I was wondering if anyone knew of any philosophical, political, or religious theories behind it.
: Any information that would lead me to a more direct research would be greatly appreciated.
: Jerri