Japanese Aesthetic and Artistic Training

[A≠A]

Thank you very much for reading my questions. I appreciate your time and your efforts.

I have become enthralled by the totality of the Japanese cultural aesthetic, which has inspired in me substantial curiosity as a result of my previous lack of familiarity with it.

To begin with, may I ask please whether you know if the Japanese approach to artistic training differs significantly from Western methods?
To my eyes, the design and draftsmanship exampled by Japanese artists generally are quite distinct from Western methods. Am I correct in thinking that this indicates a distinct educational process, as well as a different philosophical outlook on aesthetics?

For example, in the West our education consists largely of the methods of the Renaissance masters, coupled with such contemporary practices as "squash and stretch," "Straight against curve," etc., etc.
I would think that surely a host of additional principles are of equivalent importance to the Japanese approach, since much of the art has such a starkly different aesthetic?
To what extent is calligraphy a factor, and if it is significant then are there any authoritative Japanese works on the subject for students, which have been translated into English?

There is an oneiric subtlety in Japanese art, and such a solidity in the drawings that I have seen in their animated programs (though I must admit to enjoying few of them relative to the number I have viewed) and such a striking simplicity in their appreciation of color, in the best examples of their art -- it is very exciting to suddenly realize it, and have a whole field of experience, enriched over thousands of years, open up.

What are your thoughts on the general subject of Japanese aesthetic and Japanese artistic training? I am sure that any opinions you may have, even if they are not of immediate relevance to my questions exactly, will prove to possess valuable insight.

I thank you again, but please understand that I am not asking about the most conspicuous design elements of popular anime; I hope that my respect for the art of the Japanese will be of sufficient depth that my post will convey a far deeper significance than such matters can attain.

I wish you very well.

[paberu]

From my understanding, the art schools in Japan use the same western teaching principles like every other art school in the world.

This "aesthetic" is the result of growing up in Japanese culture, and living in that culture. Things like the patterns you have in your house, to how your food looks, the way the city looks like and so on have a heavy impact on how your art turns out to be, your art is a reflection of yourself, and how you as a person is shaped is influenced by the environment you exist in.

Further example, Russian art school use the same western teaching principles, yet Russian art is different in feel to art from America, France or any other country - simply because all those countries have a different culture that gets reflected subtly in their art.

[nauvice]

I dont know that much about japanese art schools. but for animation training in japan, a number of animators dont learn in school but in an animation firm, right out of high school; they learn while also working under professionals, like an internship without the classes.

as for aesthetics,, like rayk mention, it depends in culture. In every country its different, and even in regions or countercultures in these countries, its different. compare the average ideal for a perfect man or woman in Japan and the US for example...

[crossmirage]

As rayk said, It's not so much the training methods as the culture, philosophy and history that molded the strong, distinctly 'oriental' style of Japanese art.

Though, it is worth noting that to most Japanese, aesthetic ideals are not simply a philosophy, but an integral part of daily life. The many years of isolation from the outside world may have helped preserve their unique flair as well.

[jakobweiq]

i can say their art is mostly influenced by the Wabi Sabi... more info here >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi_sabi

and most of their (traditional) color scheme r inspired by their natural habitat.. even giving nature-inspired name.. >> http://www.colordic.org/w/

not just their arts, try oso looking @ their architecture culture.. so different!

my 2 cents of worth :)