NATURE STUDIES IN JAPANESE ART 



It is impossible to examine the work of Japanese 

 artists without being struck by the wonderful 

 appreciation of Nature which they everywhere 

 display. No one who possesses any knowledge of 

 animals or plants can have failed to remark how 

 truthfully a great variety of forms are depicted, and 

 how skilfully the native artist borrows from Nature 

 all that is most expressive in action, elegant in 

 outline, and beautiful in colour. Hence in the 

 representation of flowers, foliage, and birds, for 

 decorative purposes, the Japanese have no rivals. 



The flowers most commonly met with in 

 Japanese art are the Chrysanthemum, Peony, 

 Wistaria, Iris, Lily, Hydrangea, Carnation, 

 Convolvulus, and Water-lily ; but several other 

 flowers indigenous to Japan are used for ornamen- 

 tation in combination with the above. The 

 Hydrangea, Convolvulus, and Water-lily are very 

 often depicted on works of lacquer and porcelain, 

 the Convolvulus, from its creeping habit, being an 

 especial favourite in free design. 



The trees most frequently met with are the 

 Kiri [Paulownia imperialis, Siebold), Plum, Fir, 

 and Palm, the flowers of the Plum being special 

 favourites in ornamentation. Reeds, creeping 



247 



