Begin Collecting Japanese Art

Collecting Japanese art is becoming more popular as Zen and the mystical decorating themes of the orient become more prevalent in the Western world. Japanese art has many different styles spread across thousands of years. As with Europe and the Americas, many art forms emerged during specific time periods of government change. Understanding the formation of medias such as ink painting on paper and silk or woodblock prints of the Edo period can help one determine what type of art to select for collecting.

Choosing a Media

Pottery, prints, sculpting, calligraphy and painting are some of the ways that Japanese artists espress their love of country and the secret meaning behind its beauty. Delving into the subject of Japan, the culture and the history is the only way to determine what media is most appealing to you. As many collectors have said, as soon as the spirit captivates you, it will become obvious as to your passion of Japanese art. Before deciding on a media type, visit art galleries that display these works and learn all you can about past artists and styles.

Appreciation of Japanese Art

Since the 8th century, artists of Japan have been expressing both secular and religious statements through painting and sculpting. Some of the specific periods of interest include the Edo period that brought beautiful expressions of architecture through polychrome prints in the 17th century. Ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock prints are a favorite of many collectors and had an inspiring impression on such Western artists as Vincent van Gogh.

The Momoyama period of the 17th century was when screen painting became symbolized as a Japanese favorite through the imagination of Kano Eitoku. His landscapes of trees with sprawling branches dotted with fruit and flowers is perhaps the most memorable dispay of Japanese art in the Western world. The original idea was to offer serenity of an open garden while passing through a sliding door os a screened peaceful scene. The technique was captured by other artists and these prints are now quite commonplace in frames and adorning room dividers.

New Collectors

If your desire to begin collecting Japanese art is for decorative purposes, begin with calligraphy or hand-painted pottery. The Japanese used to write with strokes of a brush instead of using a pen and the craftsmanship in using different techniques has an undeniable aesthetic affect. Popular with those that study Zen, a collection of different brush strokes depicting words of serenity are perfect as a grouping.

Japanese ceramics are some of the finest in the world and learning to recognize the time period, style and artists can take you on a journey that is never ending. From the celadon pale-green glaze used during the 13th century to the more recent works of Kameyama porcelain, the intricate detail of landscapes and motifs will bring pause to each and every eye it encounters.

There has never been a better time to begin collecting Japanese art as a profitable venture or just a pleasing past time. Since the melt down of the 1990s, pieces that used to bring high dollars can be obtained at more realistic prices. Collecting Japanese art, however, is not an easy endevour and pursuing the culture and meaning will gain you much more than merely collecting Japanese art but a serene adventure into Japan’s history and beauty.