Origami, a Japanese word meaning to fold ("oru") paper ("kami"), is the art of building sculptures by folding paper. Origami is an art form that originated in China. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns preferably without the use of gluing or cutting the paper, and using only one piece of square paper.

A student's thoughts on the makunouchi bento and its relationship with the Shinto view of space.

The Silver Pavilion and Sand Garden (otherwise known as Ginkaku-ji) tie together both animistic traditions and Zen Buddhist influences in Japan’s history. Through a study of the architectural and design elements of this complex, in conjunction with a more sociological study of Japan in the mid 15th century, I hope to uncover the answer to the following questions: Why did Japan look this way at this point in time? From which religious and stylistic traditions does this paradise-like garden originate? How did this garden straddle different periods in history, and the Japanese transition to the abstract?
Initially, I was captivated by the idea of natural elements, such as moss and sand, functioning as an artist’s medium. I sought to understand the underlying concept behind the six-foot high sand cone that stands beside the Silver Pavilion Temple, and the constant devotion that is required to keep the cone and garden intact. In my research, I have found that this cone was, in many ways, the result of a culture and patron devoted to continuous practice, the principles of Zen, and a simultaneous turn towards abstraction. I seek to illuminate my findings through images of the garden and temple, accompanied by descriptions as well as slightly more personal connections and inferences that I have made.

Nobuyoshi Araki is the most internationally famous contemporary Japanese photographer, but also one of the most controversial. Most viewers might only notice the bold and shocking qualities of his photographs while ignoring the thought process behind them. I have attempted to analyze Araki's works utilizing the concepts and approach that we have been discussing in class. His works embody many of the principles of post-modern Japanese visual culture that we have discussed and in many of these works I see a clear continuity from the pre-modern Japanese visual aesthetic to today's resurgence of figurality.