Japanese Arts and Crafts

Japanese Art and Craft is a striking blend of its ancient traditions and influence of other oriental countries. The term art and craft of Japan can mean a wide range of things from decorative objects to textile designs, from Ikebana (the art of flower arrangement) to ink painting. In the 21 st century Japanese art and crafts has undergone significant western influence and the blend of the east and west had conceived some exclusive items. Chinese influence on Japanese art is highly detectable. Most of the art and crafts of Japan in the medieval period was influenced by Buddhism and later the ecclesiastical art forms were replaced by the secular ones.

The history of Japanese art and crafts can be divided into many broad heads depending on the period in which it flourished. Jomon, Yayoi, Heian, kamakua and Muromachi are some of the forms of Japanese art of the early era. The Edo period and the Meiji period are the two time periods when the art and craft in Japan experienced significant development. Western sway in the art forms was evident from this period. While talking of Japanese art the importance of performing art in their culture cannot be ignored. The occidental influence on Japanese art from the late 19 th century has led to two distinct art forms called 'Impressionism' and 'Art Nouveau'.

Museum of Western Art in Tokyo is the main arena of the performing arts in Japan. The Japan Academy of Arts is the organization which honors and encourages the growth of art and culture in the country by giving lucrative rewards.