Japanese Art

Both Japanese and Korean art were powerfully influenced by that of China, whose artists of the Shan, Han, and T'ang dynasties inspired splendid Korean painting and pottery; and it was Chinese and Korean craftsmen and painters migrating to Japan in the sixth century who paved the way for the fine early temple architecture, sculpture, painting, lacquer- and metal-work. Later centuries saw new waves of public and private architecture, landscape gardening, naturalistic painting, and superb pottery for use in the tea ceremony; all demonstrating the elegant taste and meticulous attention to detail which epitomises the best in Japanese life and culture.