Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BSTC2003
Lecture Date Topic
1 Jan 18 Introduction
2 Jan 25 Origin and development of Zen Buddhism
Lunar New Year Feb 1 No Class
3 Feb 8 The acceptance and development of Zen in Japan
4 Feb 13 Japanese aesthetic values 1
5 Feb 22 Japanese aesthetic values 2
6 Mar 1 Traditional Japanese arts
Reading Week Mar 8 No Class
7 Mar 15 Influence on arts and literature
8 Mar 22 Influence on architecture and landscaping (Short Essay Due)
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1.Essential concepts, practices and historical background.
2.Aesthetics of Zen:
Philosophy and nature of beauty and taste.
What is consider beauty? Why pleasing?
Set of principles and concepts underlying the works of Zen.
3.Application:
Traditional Japanese arts;
Arts and literature;
Architecture and landscaping;
Spirituality;
Design;
Lifestyle.
3
The way of arts.
Traditional Japanese arts disciplines.
Chadō 茶道
Kadō 華道
Kōdō 香道
Nōgaku 能楽
The “way”.
A process of training.
Kata (方, way of training).
The process is as important as the result.
A form of meditation.
Merging the mind and the art form.
Keeping both in harmony with one another.
Engaging the mind in the present moment.
Not thinking of the past and future.
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3 Arts of Refinement
Chadō 茶道
Tea, Cha no yu (茶の湯).
Kadō 華道
Flower arrangement, Ikebana (生け花)
Kōdō 香道
Incense “listening”, Mon kō (聞香)
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Tea culture spread widely in the samurai society.
Tea and tea wares were considered luxurious items.
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Tōcha (闘茶)
Adopted from Tang China.
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Originated by Murata Jukō (村田珠光, 1423–
1502) and Takeno Jōō (武野 紹鴎, 1502–1555).
Sen no Rikyū popularized and promoted the
style.
One of the most practiced style in cha-no-yu.
The “three Sen houses/families” San-Senke (三千家)
Omotesenke (表千家), Urasenke (裏千家), and
Mushakōjisenke (武者小路千家).
“Wabi-cha”.
Emphasizes simplicity.
As a spiritual path based on Zen.
Contemplative awareness of the relationship
between people and things.
Transcending materialism.
Regardless of social status.
No matter who you are, you have to bow before
entering a tea house.
Impermanence and non-self. 10
Rikyu (利休,1989) is Hiroshi Teshigahara's film
about the 16th century master of the Japanese tea
ceremony, Sen no Rikyū.
Death of a Tea Master (千利休 本覺坊遺文, Sen no
Rikyu: Honkakubô ibun also known as Sen no
Rikyū: Honkakubo's Student Writings) is a 1989
Japanese biographical drama film directed by Kei
Kumai.
It is based on real life events of Sen no Rikyū,
particularly the events surrounding his ritual suicide.
It was entered into the main competition at the 43rd
Venice International Film Festival, in which it won the
Silver Lion.
Ask This of Rikyu (利休にたずねよ) is a 2013
Japanese biographical film directed by Mitsutoshi
Tanaka and based on a novel by Kenichi
Yamamoto.
This film won the award of Best Artistic Contribution at
Montreal World Film Festival in 2013.
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An occasion to enjoy the moment with those around you.
Focusing on the people and atmosphere, not just the tea
itself.
Central to tea ceremony.
Harmony (和, wa),
Bring peace among host and guests, the nature, and
utensils.
Respect (敬, kei),
Humbleness to others and utensils (regardless of the price).
13
Chashitsu (茶室)
Tea house/ room.
E.g. Jo-an, at Inuyama (如庵).
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Most classical tea houses “chashitsu” (茶室) are
in the sukiya style.
Sukiya-zukuri (数寄屋造り). Jo-an
Typical features:
tsukubai (蹲踞, stone basin, cleaning of hands and mouth),
tōrō (灯籠, lantern),
tobi ishi (飛石, stepping stones).
Simple plants
moss, ferns, and evergreens, plum and Japanese maple.
according to the season (mono no aware).
Symbolize rebirth.
Gives you vital power.
Pillar at Todai-ji.
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Very small!
Intimateness among host
and guests.
Hearth (炉, ro).
Drink the tea prepared
from the same fire.
We are one (non-self).
Tokonoma.
Ma (space).
Tatami.
Guest sit on the tokonoma
side.
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Alcove (床の間, toko no ma)
Important not only in tea room, but common
in most Japanese room (washitsu 和室).
Ma (Lecture 4).
A recessed space.
A spiritual space.
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Items for artistic appreciation are
displayed.
Calligraphic or pictorial scrolls.
Flower arrangement.
Incense burner.
Other decorative items.
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Painting/ Scroll
Kakejiku (掛軸, "hung scroll")
Calligraphy, Zen poems, verses ...
Paintings ...
21
The tokonoma is arranged to the
theme of the tea ceremony.
Guest will take turn appreciating the
arts in the tokonoma before tea
serving.
Respect for the whole ceremony.
Gratitude for the arrangement.
22
Rikyū seven rules:
1. Make a satisfying bowl of tea.
2. Lay the charcoal so that the water boils
efficiently.
3. Provide the sense of warmth in the winter and
coolness in the summer.
4. Arrange the flowers as though they were in the
field.
5. Be ready ahead of time.
6. Be prepared in case it should rain.
7. Act with utmost consideration toward your
guests.
According to the Southern Record (南方錄
Nanboroku)
By Nanbō Sōkei (南坊宗啓), Rikyū disciple, Zen
monk.
Rikyū was asked what is the way of tea.
The questioner was upset by Rikyu's reply.
Saying these were simple matters that anyone could
handle.
Rikyū responded that he would become a disciple of
the person who could carry them out perfectly.
Simple yet to master these requires great
cultivation.
The Way of Tea is basically the activities of
everyday life.
23
Stylized procedures and etiquettes.
A way to train oneself mindfully in
everyday life.
Without bothered by the “monkey
mind”.
Repeating actions/ gestures in cha-no-
yu training.
Host:
Honouring your guest.
Omotenashi (おもてなし, hospitality).
Cleaning, preparing and serving.
Guest:
Gratitude towards the host.
24
“One chance in a lifetime”.
Impermanence.
Cherish any gathering that you may
take part in, as any moment in life
cannot be repeated.
Each moment is always a once-in-a-
lifetime experience.
Treasuring the unrepeatable nature
of a moment.
Treat the ceremony as “only once in a
lifetime”.
State of mindfulness.
Treasure and enjoy the present
moment.
25
Chadōgu (茶道具)
Kama (釜): water pot, usually
made of iron, in which the
water used to make tea is
heated.
Mizusashi (水指): lidded
container for fresh cold water.
Kensui (建水): container for
rinse-water.
Natsume (棗): tea container.
Hishaku (柄杓): long bamboo
water ladle.
Chashaku (茶杓): tea scoop to
transfer the powdered tea
Chawan (茶碗): tea bowl
Chasen (茶筅): bamboo whisk. 26
In cha-no-yu, powdered tea is used.
Shade-grown leaves.
High graded: Gyokuro (玉露, jade dew)
Covered from direct sunlight.
27
Depending on the quality of the tea
leaves:
Ceremony Grade
Expensive
Sweetest
Koicha (濃茶, thick tea ~3 tsp/60ml)
Usucha (薄茶, thin tea ~1tsp/60ml)
Moderate Grade
Everyday drinking.
Usucha (薄茶, thin tea ~1tsp/60ml)
Food Grade
Most affordable
More bitter.
Sushi restaurants.
Matcha latte, cake, dessert ...
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29
The tea will be present to the
guest.
With the “best-faced” side
towards you.
Rotate the bowl and drink from
the other side (respect).
Drink in 3 sips.
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Utensils appreciation.
Guests in turn examine some of the
utensils.
The tea caddy and the tea scoop.
To show respect and admiration for the
host.
The host then collects the utensils, and
the guests leave the tea house.
The host bows from the door, and the
gathering is over.
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Senchado (煎茶道 "Way of Sencha") is the formal
art of enjoying sencha.
Baisao (売茶翁,1675–1763)
Ōbaku Zen monk.
Popularize sencha tea and led to the creation of
the sencha tea ceremony.
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33
Kadō 華道
Flower arrangement, Ikebana (生け花)
Seika(生花)
Alive/ arranging flowers.
Nageire(抛入花)
Thrown-in flowers,
Chabana (茶花)
Tea flowers.
Jiyūka (自由花)
Free-style flowers.
35
Rikka (立花, "standing flowers"),
Promoted by Ikenobo Senkei (池坊
専慶) in the 15th century.
A monk.
Today as the Ikenobō school.
Originally an interior
ornamentation for the warrior
class and aristocrats.
Formal style.
Still practice today.
36
Seika (生花) "flowers"
8th Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
(Lecture 3, Higashiyama culture).
Sōami integrated the three elements of heaven, earth, and
human.
37
Basics
Standards
Lengths, angles, and forms.
Concept of Ma.
Empty space between
branches.
Not as something to fill in,
but rather as an element to
be created and preserved.
Creates the “space” for
harmonious relationships to
form.
Lack of space leads to clutter
and disharmony.
Shu ha ri (守破離, Lecture 5)
Learn-break-free.
38
Nageirebana (抛入花).
“Thrown in” style.
39
Chabana (茶花 tea flower)
Promoted by Sen no Rikyū.
To the season.
Simple, often no more than a
single blossom is used.
Collect in the wild.
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42
Incense in Japan can be traced back to
Asuka period.
Arrival of Buddhism.
Air purification.
Offering to the Buddha.
Schools:
Oie-ryu (御家流) & Shino-ryu (志野流) 43
Sharpen the senses and concentration.
Bring out the atmosphere of the season.
Samurai warriors would prepare for
battle by purifying their minds and
bodies.
Using exotic fragrance wood kōboku(香
木).
Agarwood (沈香 jinkō).
Kyara (伽羅).
Sandalwood (白檀 byakudan).
Plants and animal products.
Frankincense, honey, ambergris...
Medicinal and spiritual purpose.
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The art of enjoying incense, with
all its preparatory aspects, is
called monkō (聞香), which
translated means “listening to
incense”.
Game of guessing the incense.
Genjikō (源氏香)
The pattern corresponded to
different stories in the Tale of
Genji.
Example: Ch.11 Hanachirusato (花
散里)
Decorating patterns in kimono,
lacquerware and pottery.
46
Depicted in literatures such as the
Tale of Genji and the Pillow Book (
枕草子, Makura no Sōshi).
Mono no aware
The “atmosphere” of that time.
The four seasons.
E.g. Ch.11 Hanachirusato (花散里)
Summer, orange blossoms.
47
48
Originated in China in the 6-7th
century.
Japanese dance-drama that has been
performed since the 14th century.
One of the oldest theatre art that is still
regularly performed today.
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Based on stories from traditional
literature.
Genzai Noh (現在能, “present Noh”)
Features human characters and events.
Mugen Noh (夢幻能, “supernatural Noh”)
Supernatural being transformed into
human form as a hero narrating a story.
Ryōkake Noh (両掛能, “mixed Noh”).
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Noh is heavily influenced by Zen.
Zeami Motokiyo (世阿弥 元清1363-
1443) and his father, Kanami (観阿弥
1333–84), established Noh in the
present form.
Noh actor and play writer.
Wrote about 30-50 plays.
Wrote many treatises about Noh.
Fūshikaden (風姿花伝, "Style and the
Flower")
The oldest known work on the
philosophy of drama in Japanese
literature.
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There are four: shite, waki, kōken, and
hayashi.
Shite (仕手): The main protagonist.
52
Noh masks (能面 nō-men) are carved from wood, (cypress)
and painted.
53
Yūgen: the core of Noh.
Zeami: Supreme form of beauty.
Deep within.
54
White-powdered (Oshiroi 白粉) face .
Plucked eyebrows (Hikimayu 引眉).
Aristocratic women used to pluck or
shave their eyebrows and paint new ones
using a powdered ink.
Blackened teeth (Ohaguro お歯黒).
Using iron based dye (鉄漿 kane).
55
In Suzuki’s Zen and Japanese Culture.
Buddhist play with Zen thoughts.
Yamanba 山姥, old woman / “deity” of the
mountains.
The mountains have been under her care
since the world began.
She covers them with snow in winter, with
blossoms in spring, helping villagers ...
She has grown very old.
Wild white hair hangs down her shoulders
and her face is very thin.
Hidden and mysterious.
Main character:
Hyakuma Yamanba 百万山姥, an
beautiful, young and famous actress by
performing the yamanba dance.
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1. Hyakuma and her attendants are making a pilgrimage to
Zenkoji (善光寺).
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5. A villager tells them stories of Yamanba, she has acorn eyes, walnut
nose, toadstool ears, vine hair, and pine resin body which picks up
dust and grows.
11. With the chorus, she again describes her awesomeness and her
jumping from mountain to mountain as she vanishes. 58
Yamanba in this Noh play is not a hideous woman in contrary to
folklore.
She is benevolent and care for the villagers.
But in fact unnoticed by us, the way to “love” has to work hard, like
an old woman, rather torn out, from worrying and caring of others,
her face is full of wrinkle, her hair is white, and in pain which she
gladly suffers. In the ultimate form it even looks like a demoness.
2. The attendant asks a villager directions to Zenkoji and is told there are
three ways, the steepest being a path made by the Buddha himself...
The Bodhisattva path (love/compassion for all sentient beings)looks illuminating,
but is very tough!
3. An old woman comes and offers them a place to stay. As she enters, she
asks to hear the song of the Yamanba, saying she recognizes the famous
dancer Hyakuma Yamanba. Then the old woman told them that
Yamanba is herself, and that she dislikes the fame Hyakuma has
attained, as she herself remains stuck in the wheel of suffering.
We are often proud/ speak of ourselves as being compassion or we always portrait
love as a something delightful, but in reality, it involves hardships and patience,
which we often overlooked or not realized.
4. Hyakuma is shocked to meet the real Yamanba. She is old and worn out.
While Hyakuma is about to sing, the old woman interrupts, telling
Hyakuma to wait for dark when she will show her true form. The old
woman sudden vanishing.
People focused on the superficial level of “love”, and they are shocked when they 60
know about the suffering “love” may lead to.
5. A villager tells them the various theories and stories of Yamanba, how she is a
mixture of all things including acorn eyes, walnut nose, toadstool ears, vine hair, and
pine resin body which picks up dust and grows.
Some people (villagers) often talked about how much you have to give up in “love” (how
terrible love is), but they all missed the point.
6. Night comes, Hyakuma sings in the moonlit mountain.
7. Yamanba appears, the chorus sings “demons raging and angels rejoicing as good and
evil are one, and asks what craftsman made these mountains upon mountains”.
Non-duality: love is neither good or bad. Bodhisattva practice it without discrimination. This
is called Great-compassion in Mahayana Buddhism.
8. Hyakuma in terror asks if the form is Yamanba. The chorus describes her with crown
of snowy weeds, star-like eyes, and demon glow. The chorus recalls how long ago a
demon swallowed a terrified girl whose feelings the Hyakuma now has. Yamanba
comments on the poetic mountain scene and asks the Hyakuma to sing.
Do not rely on what you have heard from others. You have to practice it yourself to
experience it.
9. With the chorus, Yamanba dances as she describes mountains formed from dust and
mud, oceans from dewy moss, ...
This “love” is “embedding” in everything. This is the nature, Buddha nature. Buddha nature
exist everywhere. We should all know about this.
10. Yamanba dances.
11. With the chorus, she again describes her awesomeness and her jumping from
mountain to mountain as she vanishes.
Bodhisattva paths carries on from life to life, and never cease.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blOzH842IYg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id5McwyuaNk
https://www.the-noh.com/index.html
(厳島神社
Literature:
Haiku, modern works...
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