APAH Gallery 7/8 - Asia VOCAB

Constructed by offsetting successive courses of stone so that they project towards the archway’s center from each supporting side, until the courses meet at the apex of the archway

central most room in a Hindu shrine; features the cult statue

carefully cut and grooved stones that support a building without the use of mortar

depictions of couples engaged in sexual intercourse

a slow, prolonged practice that culminates spiritual transcendence (in the case of Lakshmana Temple, deeply meditative, slow and prolonged sexual activity)

a Cambodian Buddhist monastery or temple

Axis that connects heaven and earth

founder of Buddhism; exists in multiple forms; achieved full enlightenment

a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine

gateways around stupas with two upright posts and three horizontal lintels; elaborately carved

top-knot on the top of Budda’s head (symbolizes a humble crown)

red dot on the forehead of Buddha

fertility figures in Hindu/Buddhist art

universal Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism; encompasses all knowledge; depicted as larger than lifesize

Roadside inns and towns along trade routes that were sites of cultural diffusion

culture that emerged in modern-day Afghanistan along the Silk Road (blend of Greek, Buddhism, and Indian)

a diagram of the cosmos

Buddhist deity who chooses not to pass on to Nirvana

heavenly kings (Buddhism)

buddhist fearsome guardians

philosophy that stressed balance, particularly with individuals and nature

Daoist concept of complementary opposites (yin: feminine; yang: masculine)

group of Chinese artists who became recluses and leave urban life for nature

ceramic made from clay that, when fired in a kiln, produces an object that is hard, brittle, shiny, and white

artwork that includes glorified depictions of communist values or leaders, executed in a realistic formal matter

a form of printing that take a drawing and makes a print (with sketch-like qualities) using the premise that water and oil do not mix

nature worship that requires the expertise of a priest-like figure or shaman, who intercedes to alleviate problems facing the community

a symbol/badge that indicated the military or political status of the wearer

spread, expansion, and adoption of Chinese culture, politics, and language

Japanese Buddhist aggressive guardian deities who protect Buddhist temples

a hall used for Buddhist teaching

Japanese term for “giant Buddha”

Japanese illustrated hand scroll from the 11th-16th centuries

“Men’s painting”; military rule in the shogunate (government) led to an interest among male patrons in military scenes

Japanese hand scroll characterized by stylized figures, simple faces, bright pigments, and aerial views

branch of Japanese Buddhism that teaches fulfillment through introspection, meditation, gardening, and tea drinking; almost always an elite Buddhist practice

Japanese painting technique in which a second layer of paint is applied to the first layer which is not dry (European wet-in-wet technique)

a type of relief printing that works as a stamp

17th-19th century Japanese woodblock prints showing genre scenes; popular in West

image that depicts a scene of everyday life

a term denoting Japanese or European art influenced by Japonisme styles; a crazed ensued for BOTH Japanese prints and these types of Japanese-inspired works in hte 19th c.

Islamic pilgrimage to the Mecca; required according to the 5 Pillars of Islam

black silk curtain that covers the Kaaba; replaced yearly

stones in an arch

decorative handwriting or decorative lettering

polygonal shapes that repeat

non-representational religious artwork in Islam

Muslim house of worship

curved or pinched arch

wall that identifies the direction towards Mecca (Kaaba), which Muslims face in prayer

an empty arch on the qiblah wall; Muslims pray towards this arch, not to it

rectangular frame around a pointed arch

tall, slender towers used to call people to prayer

Islamic pointed arches

curving, flowing, intricate patterns that are reminiscent of floral designs

3D triangles that curl towards the viewer and layered over one another (often used inside a vaulted room, such as an iwan)

short flight of steps used as a platform for muezzin

the person at a mosque who calls people to prayer

Islamic fortress and citadel, with barracks for elite guards

a building that contains tombs

flattened 45 degree corners

elevated domed tower

tapers at the bottom

three-walled vaulted rooms

decorative screens

inlaid decorative stones

“Eight Paradises”; 8 chambers surrounding a central room

tan emtpy tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person

Four Rivers of Paradise

Islamic sacred text, dictated to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel

page in a handwritten book

writing material made from the skins of sheep or goats

a small cylinder-shaped container with a detachable lid used to hold cosmetic or jewelry

Islamic mysticism; emphasis on prayer, mediation, and transcending a basic religious experience; goal is to have a direct relationship with the divine

small paintings on paper prized for their detail and precision

Islamic rulers in India; known for opulence and extravagance