Calligraphy Box with Design of Autumn Flowers and Grasses under the Essay

Calligraphy Box with Design of Autumn Flowers and Grasses under the Sun and the Moon by Igarashi Doho from 17th century Japan - Essay Example Such artwork was unique to the dominant class of the Japanese society, although there was a difference in popularity of different art types. Art from the Edo era, as the writing box by Igarashi, comprised of several themes and styles of art, which resulted in the era being categorized as the revival era of Japanese art. Doho’s calligraphy box, as a piece of art, captures three traits of the Japanese society in the periods leading to the 17th century; religion, wealth and power, and education. The calligraphy box is popular for a number of reasons. Considering the age in which the box was crafted, the level of detail and its intricacy is indicative of developed art in the Japanese culture. The detailing on the wood and incorporation of gold and metal facilitates the development of a unique art form that appears modern as well as complex. There is awe in the artisanship employed in the decorations on the box, which suggest considerable time spent on the development of the artifact. The art could only be achievable in the presence of history and a structured discipline in where artistic skill used in the art was taught. Furthermore, the degree of preservation, considering the age of the art, is one of a civilization that incorporated science into its daily norms. Religion has a huge impact in the calligraphy box, as well as the techniques used in the artisanship. The Early Heian art, which was introduced by Buddhist priest Kukai, influenced the development of Japanese art. One of the attributes that was derived from the religion was the use of gold in art. The calligraphy box appears as having a golden cover to the wood, which is characteristic of the Heian period (Brinkley 26). The E-maki (last Heian) period further imposes the impact of religion on art, as the development of picture scrolls was introduced, with emphasis on the liveliness of the colors used as well as the narration incorporated in the art. Following the