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Concept
Higashiyama culture
Summary
The Higashiyama culture (東山文化 Higashiyama bunka) is a segment of Japanese culture that includes innovations in architecture, the visual arts and theatre during the late Muromachi period. It originated and was promoted in the 15th century by the shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, after he retired to his villa in the eastern hills (東山 Higashiyama) of the capital city Kyoto.
The Ashikaga Shogunate of the 14th century renewed diplomatic relations with Ming Dynasty China under Yoshinori, in an overtly vassal relationship. Through access to Chinese culture, the Shogunate imported the latest cultural trends, but through the Shogun Yoshimasa but with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. This is what became known as the "Higashiyama Culture" due to the centrality of Yoshimasa's influence, and named after the district in Kyoto where he built his retreat. Yoshimasa did not single-handedly contribute to the aesthetic, but recruited artistic talent, sponsoring them, and provided valuable critique.
Based largely on the ideals and aesthetics of Zen Buddhism, especially those temples under the Five Mountain System, and the concept of wabi-sabi, Higashiyama culture centered on the development of chadō (Japanese tea ceremony), ikebana (flower arranging), Noh drama, and sumi-e ink painting. Much of what is commonly seen today as Japanese Zen aesthetics originated in this period. Higashiyama culture is often contrasted with Kitayama bunka, the "Kitayama Culture" came earlier in the Muromachi period. In this comparison Kinkaku-ji, representative of Kitayama culture is compared with Ginkaku-ji, representative of Higashiyama culture.
Yoshimasa's retirement villa was turned into the temple Ginkaku-ji (the Temple of the Silver Pavilion) after his death. It is situated in Kyoto's Sakyō-ku, and was the center of the Higashiyama cultural outgrowth and known for its Zen and wabi-sabi aesthetics. The retired shogun invited many artists, poets, and court nobles to his villa, encouraging the development of their arts.
Official source
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