7/10/2018

Appreciating The Finer Things With Japanese Cloisonne

By Dennis Graham


There are some things in the world that are unique to humanity. While it is often thought that things like murder and homosexuality are exclusively human, they are not. But what is exclusively human is art. Now, there are billions of people who are moving about the planet. These people are divided geographically. Now, this division has fostered unique cultures. Given that art is unique to humanity and that culture makes humans distinct from each other, it follows then that the way art is expressed will differ from one culture to another, like Japanese cloisonne.

Cloisonne is a type of art. It is typically used to be paint things like jars, vases, and other such finery. Now, the word itself is French, but some of the most famous examples are decidedly East Asian in origin.

The history of it in Japan begins in the Meiji period. At the time the samurai class, once one of the highest ranks in society, had taken quite a social tumble. Many samurai had to live on a paltry income. Then one of the decided to supplement their income, and they did that by using art. They took a piece of Chinese enamel and then deconstructed it, in the process learning the methodology in its creation. Once that samurai learned the process, they took on students. The resulting pieces would become highly desired exports once Japan reopened itself to the rest of the world after going through an isolationist phase.

Cloisonne is used for one thing. That would be to make what is dull bright. See, most plates and bowls are plain, with no decoration about them. True, they serve their purpose well enough with any such frivolity. But it would not hurt to look good while also being practical.

It is life a coloring book. First, thin wires are used to create the outlines. Then enamel paste is applied for color. Then the whole thing is hit with a little bit of heat then with some polish to make all shiny and pretty.

There are still ways for it to be used in the modern day. For example, since the process can be very time consuming, it can be therapeutic. Any person who engages in it is going to have to block the whole world out and focus on it completely.

The materials involved should be easily obtained. The first would be the canvass, so to speak, which is to be made of copper. Then there is the wiring. The last thing will be the enamel paste, in order to facilitate the application of color.

Patience is a virtue. Since this can take time, an artist needs to have a clear schedule. They also need the patience to get through it without blowing a gasket.

The thing about human beings is that they are likely the only animal capable of significant abstract thought. They sure as hell are the only animal capable of creating art. The fact is, even when the species as a whole was still in its relative infancy, it was still creating and appreciating art. Paintings scrawled on the walls of cave prove that, as does hollowed out bones that served as rudimentary flutes. Given all that evidence, it can be rightly inferred that man has appreciated the arts for at least a few thousand generations before the modern era.




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