Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

The Beauty of the "Super Flat"Style and Its Influence on Others

During the period when chanoyu was growing in popularity and establishing itself, the nation was unsettled. It was not until the early seventeenth century that Japan regained peace and popular culture bloomed. This period gave rise to ukiyo-e, woodblock prints and genre paintings. "Ukiyo-e are unique in that they ignore perspective, use strong outlines to divide colors, use colors completely unlike those in reality, and employ unusual compositions (cutting off a human figure in the middle or pushing the central character to the edge of the frame, for example). This was not common in European art in those days, and in the late nineteenth century, ukiyo-e greatly influenced the Impressionists, who were not satisfied with a purely realistic approach. Ukiyo-e's oversimplified lines, gorgeous colors, and sophisticated compositional sense were so fresh to them," explains Mr. Yamaguchi. He notes that ukiyo-e influenced not only Impressionists but other artists as well. A good example is Takashi Murakami, the Japanese pop artist known for his "super flat" approach.

Uniting Traditional Craftsmanship with Modern Design

New interpretations of bi-ishiki emerge in each age. What about today's trends in Japan? According to Sachiko Shintani, president of MOVE Art Management, "Japanese people seem to be tired of mass production and mass consumption these days, and they are beginning to explore quality products that reflect producers' passions and philosophies. At the same time, traditional craftsmanship is being rediscovered. Today, there are collaborative projects that bring together local craftsmanship and modern arts, which did not overlap in the past, and many new types of art are being born from the projects. To me, it is as if the good old days of Japanese bi-ishiki, which is ‘finding beauty in everyday life,' have come back." These projects are also helping to boost local traditional craft industries, which were on the verge of disappearance. There are now several supporting organizations. JAPAN BRAND, a development-assistance program that supports small- and medium-sized companies, aims to preserve the traditional techniques and skills that have been nurtured over centuries throughout regions of Japan. THE COVER NIPPON provides a space in the Tokyo Midtown center for products supported by the Made in Japan Project that combine traditional craftsmanship and modern design. Today's inventive art and design stand on Japanese bi-ishiki and traditional artisanship.

Eccentricity in Fashion Genes from the Past to the Future

Something completely new is blooming as well. Especially among younger generations, unique fashion and beauty trends that seem to have nothing to do with the Japanese bi-ishiki mentioned above come and go these days. Some examples are Gosu-Loli, a fashion style blending Gothic and Lolita-ish elements, and Koakuma Ageha, cabaret-like, trashy, coquettish fashion. They deviate from the standard so much that they are not in the mainstream, but there are ardent devotees. About this phenomenon, "I'm personally supportive," says Mr. Yamaguchi of Christie's. "Since these styles are so opposite from the traditional arts, they are hardly accepted right now. However, looking back, when kabuki was spawned, it might have been exactly like this. Izumo no Okuni, who was the leader of a kabuki road company in the late sixteenth century, disguised herself as a man and wore extremely eccentric costumes and accessories. It is easy to imagine that she was stared at with curiosity. But her style led to creation of the kabuki performing arts after all. So, I believe that Japanese people hold that kind of component in their genes."

Now that the Internet exists, cultural exchanges are faster and more frequent than ever. As Japanese integrated foreign influences to create the original bi-ishiki, they might bring about something inventive with this new influx of foreign ideas. It is exciting to think about what may come next.

A rich and clean sake with a bouquet reminiscent of ripe apples. Its well-balanced flavor delightfully fills your palate.