The Anonymity of Sōtatsu

Waves at Matsushima, Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1600-1640),
Japan, early 1600s

    While virtually visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, I stumbled upon the works of Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1600-1640). As a gift from Charles Lang Freer from the Freer Gallery of Art given to the Smithsonian, Sōtatsu’s Waves at Matsushima, painted in Japan in the early 1600s, is a painting that depicts the blessings of the sea while also inspiring artists of his time. The folding screen is also one of Japan's most distinctive forms of art, seen in this painting. Screens such as this were traditionally displayed as a backdrop for special occasions and ceremonies. It is speculated that this painting was commissioned by the merchant Tani Shōan to celebrate the opening of the Zen temple Shōunji.

    Although there are over 70 works created by Sōtatsu, much of the artist’s personal life is unknown. Living in Kyoto, Japan, Sōtatsu had a studio called Tawaraya, where he made and sold fan paintings to an audience of aristocratic and imperial patronage. His recognizable works of abstract designs and vibrant colors, with the use of wet pigment to create random patterns, would later become known as the Rinpa style. A style that would come to influence modern Japanese art. However, if it wasn't for the efforts of Charles Lang Freer with the discovery of Sōtatsu’s works over 200 years after their creation, then Sōtatsu’s paintings would not have received the attention and recognition they deserved.

Dragons and Clouds, Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1600-1640),
Japan, date unknown

    The journal article "Japanese Calligraphy and Painting," by Steven D. Owyoung and Elizabeth Horton, describes why Sōtatsu's work was so important. His combining of traditional themes of Japanese scroll painting with bold, decorative designs would go on to influence others. For example, his use of gold and silver would be shown through the works of Ogata Kōrin, a Japanese artist of the Tokugawa period, famous for his screen paintings, textile designs, and lacquerwork. The article also talks about how he created a decorative style known as Rinpa as it states, “Rinpa, the great decorative style of the Edo period, was developed by the extraordinary masters of design Tawaraya Sōtatsu (seventeenth century)...” (Owyoung 3). He pioneered techniques that would later go on to influence a majority. It again states, “Rinpa’s influence continued into contemporary times, and is often found in modern Japanese Nihonga painting… has expressed the native artistic spirit of modern Japan… relates closely to Japan's cultural past through its themes, materials, and styles” (Owyoung 3). Although he and his works were forgotten for centuries, they still lived on in others, such as his contemporary Hon'ami Kōetsu, and into the next generation of painters such as Ogata Kōrin.

    Sōtatsu's works are beautiful. To me, the colors and the techniques that he uses come together to create masterpieces. The Smithsonian virtual museum tour was a way to look at works of art with the comfort of being in your own home. I have never gone to an actual museum, but this virtual tour allows me to experience art in the safety of my coronavirus-free house. Although this is a great and safe way to look at art, I still would like to go to an actual museum because then it would be better to see fine details, textures, and dimensions up close. With that being said, more information on Waves at Matsushima can be found in this brief Youtube video:

Works Cited:

Owyoung, Steven D., and Elizabeth Horton. “JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND PAINTING.” Bulletin (St. Louis Art Museum), vol. 19, no. 3, 1989, pp. 1–35. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40716256. Accessed 28 Mar. 2021.

“Sōtatsu: Making Waves.” Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 25 Mar. 2020, asia.si.edu/exhibition/sotatsu-making-waves/.

The Two Great Traditions of Buddhism

    It was more than 2,500 years ago when the non-theistic faith of Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Guatama, which today we know as “the Buddha.” From his teachings of encouraging avoidance of self-indulgence and self-denial, it is this way of life that allows a man to become enlightened. As the Buddha taught his findings of enlightenment orally to those that would listen, there was never a body of Buddhist scripture written down and preserved, until about 80 B.C.E. It was this moment in time for which almost all of Buddhist monks and scholars met together in what would be called the Great Council at Anuradhapura, the capital of Sri Lanka. The book Awakening, by Patrick Bresnan, states, “...they were there for the purpose of formally establishing an authentic body of Buddhist scripture” (Bresnan 243). These followers of Buddhism had now created the Pali Canon, a collection of scriptures that makes up the great tradition of Theravada Buddhism. But like every tradition, there come opposing viewpoints. These oppositionists created the second great tradition of Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism. Influential, larger, and more favored by the people, Mayahaya Buddhism would take over reign for centuries until Theravada would again make an appearance in modern times.

Thai Buddhist Monk

    When the Buddhist monks and scholars created the scriptures for Theravada Buddhism, we ask ourselves what Theravada means. Bresnan states, “... the first great organized movement within Buddhism, is known by the name Theravada… Theravada literally means “teachings (doctrine) of the elders,” but in more everyday language, we could translate it simply as “the orthodox tradition”” (Bresnan 251-252). Followers of this type of Buddhism believed that through our own efforts, we could attain self-liberation. And the road to enlightenment is through dedicating one’s entire life to a monastic lifestyle. More conservative of the two great traditions, Theravada followers believed that their way of Buddhism was more aligned with the Buddha’s teachings. However, as we see with the formation of Mahayana Buddhism, those with different viewpoints create their own way of life. 

Statues of the Buddha in Mahayana Tradition

    What was it about the character of the Theravadin tradition that opened the way for the rise of Mahayana? It was simply the differences in teachings and beliefs. Bresnan states, “... there had been a minority… Those were the Buddhists of a more spiritual, more mystical frame of mind. We may speculate that this minority group wished to see Buddhism more influenced by traditional Hindu beliefs and practices” (Bresnan 262). Those who followed Mayahana Buddhism believed themselves to be better than those who followed Theravada Buddhism because they believed that to attain enlightenment, one had to share their knowledge and be compassionate with others. Theravada teaches that alone, we are able to reach enlightenment. But Mahayanaists know that the Buddha reached enlightenment through compassion and the will to teach others what he knew. In many other ways did Mahayanists believe that their way was superior. One example of this is the Mahayana name. Bresnan states, “...Mahayana as simply meaning “greater vehicle”... Hinayana is simply a lesser, and therefore inferior, vehicle” (Bresnan 264). The Mahayanists called Theravada Buddhism Hinayana Buddhism, which translates to a lesser vehicle. Because Theravada Buddhism was strict and really those who were able to worship it were an elite few, it is said to carry fewer people, so it is termed Hinayana. Whereas Mahayana, meaning greater vehicle, was able to carry more people because it welcomed all. Both of these great traditions influenced and impacted its followers today, where Buddhism is still changing and evolving with the times. For a deeper look into these different traditions, this video from youtube compares and contrasts these two schools of thought:

Works Cited:

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor &            Francis Group, 2018.

Permalinks Cited:

“Mahayana Buddhism and Tradition.” And Tradition, 

    www.burmese-art.com/blog/mahayana-buddhism.

Why Do Thai MONKS Wear ORANGE Robes? 13 Nov. 2019, paramai.net/2017/05/04/why-dothaimonks-wear-orange-robe/.