why did art change?
Japanese art changed and developed dramatically during the Meiji restoration. Like all changes undertaken in the Meiji Era it the reason behind it was to imitate Western art and culture. Because of this the Emperor promoted Western style art, Yoga, by sending many students abroad and hiring foreign artists to teach at schools. However the love of all Western Art was opposed by art critic Okakura Kakuzo and educator Ernest Fenollosa and an “appreciation revival for traditional Japanese styles, Nihonga, boomed.” (Boundless). A love of traditional art and mocking of western art evolved until 1880 when it was banned from public exhibitions. However, in 1907 both Yoga and Nihonga found mutual presence and both merged together.
What was it like during and after the meiji restoration?
Japanese art during the Meiji Restoration was a combination between traditional Japanese art with the style and technique of the West. Because of the merging between Eastern and Western cultures, art produced in the Meiji Period incorporates both cultures. It does this through the technique, paints, materials, subjects clothes and subjects occupations. This is conveyed in the following artworks produced during this time.
By Chikanobu Toyohara 1838-1912- Meiji Empress and Steam Ship, 1881.
By Yoshu Chikanobu
By Kiyochika Kobayashi 1847-1915 - Dying Hero - Sino-Japanese War, 1894