Japanese motifs & symbols: natural features

The natural world - mountains, clouds, rivers, the sea - are often depicted in Japanese art. Clouds represent elegance and high status. In Buddhism, clouds signify the ‘Western Paradise’ beyond earth; and in Shintoism, the spirits of the dead. Mountains represent the unyielding, or unmoving. Water, or waves, signify power and resilience. Waves constantly ebb and flow and so symbolize great tactical ability.

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Robe, Japan

Robe
Japan
19th century
Silk brocade
Museum no. T.49-1915

Robe with a design of stylised clouds in a regular pattern on old gold with a black background.

Woodblock print, Japan. Museum no. E.12065-1886

Fan print
Japan
c. 1850
Woodblock print
Museum no. E.12065-1886

Woodblock print showing mountainous views.

 

'The Great Wave' by Katsushika Hokusai, Japan

'The Great Wave'
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
Japan
1858
Colour woodblock print
Museum no. E.4823-1916

'The Great Wave : Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji - In the hollow of a wave off the coast at Kanagawa'.  A huge falling wave on the left, with the tiny cone of Mount Fuji seen in the  trough of the wave, centre, three long rowing boats battling the stormy seas

Vase, Japan

Vase
Japan
c.1800 - 1875
Bronze
Museum no. 85-1876

Cylindrical vase with stand with overlapping foaming sea waves decoration.

Kimono, Japan

Kimono
Japan
Late 19th century
Satin silk, silk embroidery
Museum no. T.72-1957

Detail of a Kimono showing a dragon flying across Mount Fuji. Satin silk with silk embroidery in white, gold, (fumeroles and  dragon`s breath), on a brilliant red ground.

Tanto, Japan

Robe
Japan
Early 18th century (with 16th century fittings)
Steel, lacquer, silver
Museum no. M.20:1-1947

Sword (tanto) mounted in wooden scabbard with  hiramaki-e decoration of dark matt and aogi lacquer on a  dark red ground with silver mounts in the theme of Fuden and Raiden. The band (signed Kanefusa - 16th century) has a cloud motif and two  pairs of demons.

Buddhist Priest's Mantle (Kesa), 18th or 19th century. Museum no. T.91-1913

Buddhist priest's mantle (or kesa)
Japan
18th or 19th century
Silk brocade
Museum no. T.91-1913

Buddhist Priest`s Mantle or Kesa; tapestry weave with pictures of birds (peacocks, herons, storks and doves); a woman with birds feet, flying through a stylised  coloured sky of yellow, with clouds of blue, green,  brown, orange & red. Below is a stylised  representation of a foaming sea (blue and white semi-circles) and rocks. The design also includes six orange squares with three yellow edged green circles.

Tateyama: Famous places in all the provinces by Toto-ya Hokkei, Japan. Museum no. E.574-1899

Tateyama: Famous places in all the provinces
Toto-ya Hokkei
Japan
Woodblock print
Museum no. E.574-1899

Woodblock print showing the mountainous views at Tateyama.

 

'The sea at Satta in Suruga Province' by Utagawa Hiroshige, Japan

The Sea at Satta in Suruga Province
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858)
Japan
Published by Tsutaya Jûzaburô, Edo, 1858
Woodblock print in colour
Museum no. E.1275-1922

The sea at Satta in Suruga Province showing a high, foaming wave breaking through a narrow rocky cove with a volcano in the  background.