HILARIO, Rozheanne C.

(2014 20355) 11/29/16

PhilArts 101 Prof. Juliet Bien

The beauty in nature and elegance

The concept of aesthetics in Asian countries is very much related to nature, especially in

Japan and in China. Nature and elegance play extremely important roles in the arts and culture of

these countries. This idea is evident in certain activities such as the Chinese painting and the

Japanese tea ceremony.

In oriental painting, suggestion is the highest technical perfection of art, says Professor

Arnold Esguerra, an expert in Chinese painting. He explains that in Chinese painting, the

influencing of a thought or idea that eventually affects the physical and mental state of a painter is

what makes it perfect and what gives it its aesthetics. In Chinese painting, the usual subjects of the

works are nature-related. One has to be immersed in nature first before being able to paint on a

canvas or in the Chinese paintings case, a rice paper. The Chinese people traditionally paint on

rice paper because it lasts for centuries.

One does not simply paint whatever he/she likes to paint when it comes to Chinese painting.

A process must be followed and its a very long one that requires patience and a lot of time. Every

stroke is extremely important and significant. Before you could get to the complex subjects, you

should first go with the basicsa bamboo. It is the first thing to learn in Chinese painting because

it is very simple and it signifies being upright. Every subject denotes a value or meaning. The

second one to learn is the Cymbidium Orchid which represents deceptive simplicity because it

exhibits its simple appearance, but the fragrance of this flower is intensely strong. The third one is

the budding out of the Amapola or the rose mallow, which portrays constancy in being best friends
or lovers. The next ones the Chinese Plum that symbolizes constancy in love, and the

Chrysanthemum that represents constancy in friendship.

Another thing to remember in Chinese painting is that every element inside the canvas is

significant. Taothe way, the path, or the universe, is being created in the painting. The blank

part in the upper section of the canvas represents the yinthe woman and the negative one. The

painted part at the bottom, on the other hand, represents the yangthe man and the positive one.

Aesthetics in Chinese painting mainly points out that the beauty of the work emerges

through the meditation and being one with nature of the painter. Whatever he/she paints will

represent, not just the likeness of the plant, but the values of humans and the balance in the

universe, as well. The whole concept of aesthetics in Chinese painting revolves around nature. It

was surprising to hear Professor Esguerra say that it will take him 4-8 more hours of meditation

and immersion in nature in order to grant Professor Juliet Biens request of making a koi painting.

That clearly shows how dedication and time are very important to Chinese painters.

Another representation of Asian culture is the tea ceremony of the Japanese people. The

tea ceremony is highly meaningful in the Japanese culture. It is used by families to entertain guests

in the Okiya. It is even used to test the womens sophistication and elegance through their way of

preparing tea. The environment or the nature around the ceremony also plays a significant role in

setting the atmosphere. The aesthetics of Japanese tea ceremony emerges through simple elegance.

In the preparation process, all the movements, the materials, the environment, and the presentation

should be done with elegance and simplicity. Thats what makes it aesthetically pleasing.

The aesthetics of Japan and China are very much related to nature and calmness. Both of

them require being immersing in nature, being calm, simple, and elegant. In the simplicity and

calmness, is where one can find beauty in Japanese and Chinese aesthetics.