Tenpyo Patterns and Culture: Memories of Beauty that Flow Like the Wind
Tenpyo Patterns and Culture: Memories of Beauty that Flow Like the Wind
There are moments when the winds of Nara seem to speak to us across a thousand years. The Tenpyo culture is a journey that traces back such memories. In this article, we will take a gentle look at the Tenpyo patterns that are also found in the Shosoin Repository patterns, and the world of Tenpyo culture that lies behind them.
The Tenpyo culture: beauty woven together by climate and prayer
The Tenpyo culture is a culture of aristocracy and Buddhism that flourished in the middle of the Nara period (8th century). During the reign of Emperor Shomu, amidst a succession of epidemics and disasters, the idea of "protecting the country with the power of Buddha" (Chinpokoku) spread, and grand Buddhist projects such as the construction of the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple were carried out.
The culture of this period was richly international, influenced by the Tang Dynasty (China), India, Persia, and other countries, and its beauty is collected in Shosoin, which is also known as the "end of the Silk Road."
Tenpyo Patterns - A Pattern Where Exotic Styles and Japanese Prayers Intersect
Tenpyo patterns are a general term for decorative patterns that originated during the Tenpyo culture. The patterns found in the Shosoin treasures incorporate exotic plants and imaginary flowers, such as arabesques, flower-eating birds, and hosoge flowers.
• Hosohana pattern: A fantasy flower originating from India and Persia. It is characterized by its gorgeous and fantastical shape.
• Flower-eating bird pattern: A pattern of a bird flying with a flower in its mouth. Symbolizes the cycle of life and good fortune.
• Arabesque pattern: A continuous pattern of intertwining vines. It represents eternity and prosperity.
These patterns are not just decorations, but are imbued with prayers and wishes. They are applied to fabrics, vessels, musical instruments, and Buddhist altar implements, quietly embracing the hearts of those who use them.
Literature of the Tenpyo Culture: Waka Poems that Express the Voiceless
During this period, the Manyoshu was compiled, containing songs not only from aristocrats but also from commoners and soldiers. The Tenpyo culture was also an era in which the "heart dwelling in words" was valued, transcending social status.
Spring has passed and summer has come. I leave my white robes on Mount Kagu in heaven. (Empress Jitō)
These waka poems, like patterns, have the power to "show the invisible." The beauty of the Tenpyo period lies in the quiet interplay of wind, seasons, and prayer.