choukan zuhou　鳥瞰図法

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

A bird's-eye view. Also fukan zuhou 俯瞰図法 (view from above). One type of perspective popular in Japanese painting, especially on handscrolls and screens. This perspective was used for early illustrations of Buddhist tales *setsuwaga 説話画, as well as illustrated secular tales popularized during the Heian and Kamakura periods. The technique is particularly useful for depicting scenes covering large areas, including land formations, sections of cities, battlegrounds, or scenes of famous places. Large-area paintings are almost map-like. Numerous screens from the 16c and 17c illustrating Scenes In and Around Kyoto *rakuchuu rakugai-zu 洛中洛外図 are good examples of the use of this perspective.

REFERENCES:

EXTERNAL LINKS:

NOTES:

(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。