The herald., 1897-04-13
SOCIAL AT THE EBELL
ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON OF ART
AND MUSIC
Mrs. Eliza A. Otis Reads a Paper on
Pictorial Art of Japan and
Its Origin

At the regular monthly social meeting
of the Ebell, held yesterday afternoon
at 1857 South Flower street, Mrs. Eliza
A. Otis read a pepper on "The Pictorial
Arts of Japan: Their Origin" The pa
per was interesting throughout, and
showed careful study and thought in its
| preparation.
In leading up to her subject, Mrs.
Otis referred to the growing interest of
late years In the productions of Japan
ese art. and of the Japanese as peo-
pie, politically and socially isolated car
ing nothing for the outside world;
kingdom whose doors had until recently
been shut to the world by it's rulers. its
art having no impetus from outside
competition. On the contrary, Japan
ese art has always been original and
unadulterated, the mysteries of its
skilled workmanship have been sacredly
guarded, and the government has given
it fostering care.
Authorities differ as to the early de.
velopment of art in Japan, but those
are reliable who place it about the mid
die of the sixth century, when the skill
of artists was tried in fashioning pic
lures and images of the new god, Budd-
ha. OF ceramic art the beginning is
also wrapped in mystery. 1t extends
back many centuries to the time of the
gods, and it's story is told in their my
thology.
Wood carving was born with Budd-
hism Heathenism must have its idols,
and skilled hands were requiredto adorn
temples with carven flowers and sacred
birds Royalty did not hesitate to
handle a chisel when god was to be
carved, and Japan has we'll preserved
figure of Buddha of the sixth century
workmanship.
Lacquer ware was the next depart
ment referred to. which must have ex-
listed from the middle of the sixth GEN.
tury. The manufacture of red and black
lacquer and the planting of lacquer trees
were referred to by the speaker. About
the middle of the eighth century the
inlaying of mother of pearl was in
vented, also the application of pictorial
designs and the mixture of gold pow
der with varnish was another step in
that century.
The first trace of metal work in Japan
was found in bronze arrowheads and
bells of unknown antiquity; then the
mirror, helmets and breastplates adorn-
ed with beaten gold, known to be as
early as the fourth century, and by the
eighth century there were magnificent
open work lanterns wrought, together
with vases, incense burners, coronets
and swords.
In the ninth century pictorial art was
essayed, and there are canvasses por-
traying Buddhistic theology and his
toric story. Kase-No Kanoaka is re-
garded as the greatest of the early
Butsu-ye artists. He and his descend
ants are traced in an unbroken line for
more than five centuries. and they all
directed their chief efforts to the pro-
duction of scored pictures.
After Kanaoka's death no schools of
art were recognized until the eleventh
century, when Zamato and his follow
ers developed a style which survives
to the present and consists in depicting
native themes. Reference was made to
the wonderful collection of Japanese
art in the Smithsonian institution at
Washington; a contrast was drawn be-
tween the famous European artists and
schools and those of Japan, in which
the latter show peculiar strength and
native force of expression and give
evidence which proves the Japanese to
have been possessed with wonderful
powers of conception and courageous
effort
Mrs. Otis illustrated her theme with
graphic descriptions of certain pictures
in which the artists showed a strong,
sympathetic perception of beauty, un-
varying precision of touch, and grace
Of execution. With few words for the
porcelains with their delicacy and per-
fection of finish that bespeaks highest
culture and finest perception in the art
list, Mrs. Otis drew her paper, which
had held her auditors in absorbed atten-
tion from first to last, to close
A general discussion followed the pa
per. Two vocal solos were enjoyed, the
usual light refrshements were served
and the rest of an exceptionally pleas
ant afternoon was given over to infor-
NAL chat.