JAPANESE PAINTING- Nanryū or Shinki century

 EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK

A HANDBOOK FOR TRAVELLERS IN JAPAN (INCLUDING FORMOSA), BY BASIL CHAMBERLAIN,F.R.G.S. AND W.B. MASON, CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY AND LATE OF THE IMPERIAL  JAPANESE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS. WITH THIRTY MAPS AND PLANS AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. NINTH EDITION, REVISED THROUGHOUT. LONDON. JOHN MURRAY, ALLEMARLE STREET. YOKOHAMA, SHANGHAI,- KELLY&WALSH, LIMITED-HONKONG, SINGAPORE.1913

Painting of Japan

THE EARLIEST PAINTINGS OF JAPAN

The earliest painter mentioned in the national récords was a Chinese immigrant named Nanryū or Shinki who settled in Japan in the second half of the fifth century and was followed by many generations of descendants.

From the latter part of the fifth to the middle of the ninth century may be considered the first or educational period of Japanese painting.

 During this era both pictorial and glyptic art were almost entirely in the hands of foreigners- Koreans or Chinese. Unfortunately little is known of the quality of the pictorial art of that remote age. One of the least doubtful of the remains of it still in existence is the mural decoration in the Kondo of the temple of Hōryūji-described in Route 39 which is said to date from AD 607 This work will compare not unfavourably with the best of the later productions of the Buddhist school and both in composition and colouring bears not a little resemblance to the works of the early Italian masters.

Temple of Hōryūji Inn Daikoku 

Hōryūji-Inn-Daikoku-ya -10 chỗ from station takes its name from a temple, which though somewhat battered by time. This temple will interest the serious student. The Temple Hōryūji is the oldest existing Buddhist temple in Japan, having been founded by Shotoku Taishi and completed in AD 607. Some of its treasures too are among the earliest art products of the country.They include a number of the 8th century miniature pagodas. Owing to its exceptional importance it more than 100 years ago. attracted the attention of art critics and of the Imperial Government. which has since contributed towards its support.

 The chief annual festival is celebrated on the 22nd day of the 2nd moon old style.

Priestly guides are in waiting to conduct visitors around for a fee of 1 yen each(circa 1913) and a further similar fee to see the pupil of Buddha's eye .Passing through the Nam-mon or S. gate and the two storied Ni ō mon WAS repaired in 1902 3, out of the original materials.We enter an oblong enclosure con taining r.the Kondō and 1. the five storied pagoda which stand on a base of cement and are with the Ni-o-mon the oldest wooden structures in Japan. In the background- there is another temple called Dai-kō-dō. These edifices contain a number of very ancient statues,- several of which are attributed to Indian sculptors. Frescoes are partly obliterated by time, and are also to be seen.The work it is said of Doncho -the Korean priest. 

Alike in the two storied gateway, and in the other buildings- the massive wooden pillars are of somewhat unequal size, and taper slightly towards the top. To observe also.- that the roofs are less slanting than usual,and the eaves more overhanging;further more that the distance between each storey of the pagoda is smaller making it low for its size, and therefore.- more stable. 

The ground floor of the Pagoda is adorned with some curious tinted terracotta groups ascribed to Tori Busshi. They represent on the E. side- Monju with other gods. On the S. side- Amida with Kwannon, and Daiseishi,- on the W. the depositing of Shaka Muni's mortal remains, and on the N.- His entry into Nirvana. The rockery of the whole composed of white stucco represents Shumisen,-the fabulous mountain, where the gods have their abode.

\Leaving the pagodam we see r, the belfry, 1. the drum-towerm and then visit the Dai Kōdō, or The Great Lecture Hall, which is dedicated to Yakushi. and a host of other deities .

We then pass out of the oblong enclosure to some lesser buildings, aud thence up a mound to the 1. where stands an octagonal shrine, known as Mine no Yakushi .

The image of Yakushi -the God of Medicine,- is attributed to Gyogi Bosatsu .And the twelve smaller images representing the Signs of the Zodiac - is attributed to Tori Busshi.

 This temple is a unique sight. being literally hidden under the enormous number of short swords, placed there as the offerings by the men, whose prayers for restoration to health have proved efficacious. Metal mirrors, combs, and hairpins are similarly placed there by the women. Drills, presented by persons, who have been cured of deafness, are piled along a ledge outside with miscellaneous ex voto tablets .

Descending hence, we pass a building called Sankyō in, and through the gallery before-mentioned, then the Kura or Store-house, which contains so many treasures, that a long day would be needed for their inspection alone. Next we visit the Taishi-dō, whose style of decoration is said to imitate that of the Imperial palace of Nara 8th century. Outside it is a wooden statue of Shōtoku Taishi's black horse with a groom in the costume of the 7th century.

Leaving this set of buildings and walking for some distance, we come to the Yume-dono ,or Hall of Dreams.-an octagonal edifice dating from the 13th century. It stands in the centre of an enclosure, surrounded by a gallery, and is dedicated to the Eleven faced Kwannon -it is over 600 years old. The long building behind, is divided into two parts:1. the E-den or Painted Apartment.-so named, because the whole interior is covered with brilliant paintings in the Tosa style, differing entirely from that of the faded frescoes mentioned before; r. the Shari-den. or Place of the Relic- so called be cause the pupil of Buddha's left eye is here enshrined .It is kept in a crystal reliquary, itself shut up in a case over which are seven damask wrappings, and is exposed to worship every day at noon in honour of the Sun-God. The Dembō-do, hard by, contains several ancient images and an old coffered ceiling. It was constructed by the Emperor Shōmu AD 724 48. The gate by which the temple is quitted stands close to the inn.