The Mighty and Immortal Chinese Horse

When it comes to the Asian horse collectibles, a very famous horse owes both its unique history and fascinating mythology exclusively to China. Naturally, the type being referenced is the Chinese horse which dates back thousands of years. Its history began during the early times of the Chinese empire. It goes without saying that horses have captured the hearts, even including intimate thoughts, of humans throughout the world. This is due to their grace, power, and beauty. So the love of the horse is no less strong in the experiences of all Asian civilizations than it is anywhere else. However, the symbolism of the Chinese horse remains very dominant in particular.

During China's very long history, no animal has earned greater respect and reverence as the horse. The Chinese horse itself was domesticated in the area of northeastern China about 5,000 years ago. Since this significant early time, the horse has been an integral figure in the creation, maintenance, and survival of the Middle Kingdom. The animal's great importance was evident as early as the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC). It is a matter of fact that horses and the vehicles they powered were often placed in the same tombs with their owners at death. This was done so that the horse would be with its military master in the next life. The tradition was so powerful in its influence that later on many ordinary Chinese horsemen were also buried with clay horse sculptures. The graves of the She-si and Ho-nan Provinces have been very populated with horse figures from the T'ang period (618-906 AD).

During the western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771 BC), military power was calculated by the number of war chariots which were available to a particular kingdom. As the empire grew, horses became necessary for maintaining contact with the rest of the empire. After all, travel could not be accomplished without the aid of horses. Horses were also needed for the control of the population by the empire. The will of the Emperor was exercised by his soldiers who rode these magnificent animals to enforce the divine word of the ancient Potentate. They were absolutely essential for transporting valuable goods and produce throughout the vast regions of China. Ordinary people in every place relied upon the horse for the basic necessities of human life. It is interesting to consider what life was really like in such an ancient, nearly forgotten world as this one.

It is not going too far to say that ancient China's very survival depended upon its own equestrian prowess. Beginning around the 4th century BC and going forward from this point in time, China's greatest and most fierce military threats came from nomadic invaders from the north and west. Ancient battles in the Middle Kingdom were very violent and bloody. Horses fought side by side with their masters to the bitter end. However, by the time of the Han Dynasty the Chinese were forced, although quite reluctantly, to abandon the war chariot as a military weapon. In its place came the mounted soldier, who also required a mighty horse to go into heated battle and often be killed. This new tactic came about to better face the nomadic threat in the most efficient and modern way possible. Conversely, from the Xiongnu to the Mongols and Manchus, the northern nomadic tribesmen fielded some of the most impressive mounted soldiers the world would ever see. At the same time, this was a constant thorn in the side of the Chinese who had to use similar tactics in warfare to fight off the skilled tribesmen who were hungry for conquest!

The horse also played an important role in the mythology of early China. This animal was closely associated with the Chinese dragon. Both were thought to be capable of flight in order to carry their brave riders to the "home of the immortals." The horse then became the symbol of immortality, power, and honor. The ability to fly has always been closely linked to survival throughout all of China's history. Therefore, a horse that could fly to the realm of the immortals must be able to survive forever!

The practical importance of the horse has diminished in the era people today refer to as "modern China." Even so, the mythological spirit of the horse still runs deeply throughout much of Chinese art, decor, and culture. In 1995, it was estimated that the population of horses in China exceeded 11 million. Twenty six distinct breeds were included in this estimate. Since this is the case a Chinese horse collectible would make an excellent addition to any Asian home decorating scheme. The Chinese horse of Asia has a universal appeal without any doubt!

Harlan Urwiler answering all your Asian collectibles questions.

For more information, please feel free to visit my website at: http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

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The Immortal Chrysanthemum in East Asian Art

A chrysanthemum is an extremely important Asian symbol in the study of Eastern art forms. One should remember that a chrysanthemum is a very particular kind of plant which is cultivated for its elaborate, ball shaped flowers. Typically, this plant blooms in the late summer and autumn seasons. It has a characteristic odor and comes in a variety of colors. These colors would include red, yellow, and white. Chrysanthemums are also one of the earliest seasonal and literary themes observed in Japanese lacquer wares. They appeared in the 13th century tebako and kogo (incense containers) of the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE). In addition to blooming in the early autumn season, chrysanthemums are a metaphor in art for longevity. This is probably due to their lengthy blooming cycle. Furthermore, the dew of the chrysanthemum is often considered the elixir of immortality. The symbol of a chrysanthemum floating in water alludes to the notion of this sort of immortality in Japanese art. In the Japanese language, it is called "kikusui."

The Chinese poet Tao Yanming (365-427 CE) had a legendary love for the chrysanthemum too. This love was revealed in one of his classic poems this way: "Plucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, leisurely I caught a glimpse of the Southern Mountain." This poem was loved by many mostly because of its essential portrait of the literati lifestyle. This existence involved unfettered independence from society and employment. It was based upon improving one's soul through travel and intellectual pursuits. In the guarded lives of Japanese nobility and of the samurai warriors who influenced the powers of government from 1185 to 1868, such an existence as this one seemed ideal. The poet Ki no Tomonori (850-904 CE) is quoted in the Kokinshu and develops the theme of chrysanthemums too. He writes: "Like the hoar frost that settles on the overgrown chrysanthemum hedge, In my garden I'll melt away yearning for you." In this poem, Ki no Tomonori follows the fashion of his day about frustrated, embittered love. The loneliness of the theme is captured well in a design on an early 20th century suzuribako in the Avant Collection.

On the exterior of this particular box are two fans. They possess landscape designs. One is placed at the upper right, which is layered beneath a second fan at the lower left. This display shows a composition on the theme of chrysanthemums by a brushwood fence near a stream. This recalls the chrysanthemum theme of both Chinese and Japanese poetry. There is also the potential for kikusui or "the elixir of immortality." On this fan, chrysanthemums and brush clover of an early fall appear in the foreground at the lower left. They are counter balanced by cherry blossoms of early spring in the faraway trees.

The combination of two fans seems to invite a comparison between Chinese and Japanese literature. There is Tao Yuan Ming's encomium to the chrysanthemum. A Genji theme or scene from a noh play seems to also exist in the Japanese way of looking at this work. Neither fan seems dominant though. The fan in the right position is seen first by the viewer who reads from right to left. The left fan is shown laying over the right one. On the interior of the box, the artist has chosen a beautiful and modernistic treatment for an ancient theme. The box is decorated elegantly with gold, silver, and brown takamakie. There is also silver hiramakie with a little red detail and gold kirikane on the black ground.

Often in the study of ancient works of East Asian art we find this kind of interdependence between two great cultures: China and Japan. In no way does this diminish the historic distinctions between these two civilizations. However, it does suggest that the connections run deep in both cultures as Japan has no doubt been influenced by China. Therefore, such connections in the past are important to note while each culture retains its own unique taste. In any case, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of immortality, longevity, and even the loneliness experienced from a lost love. Chrysanthemum art work in the Eastern tradition is therefore another excellent addition to your Asian home or office. The beauty of this symbol surely gives anyone a sense of the eternal!

Harlan Urwiler answering all your Asian collectibles questions.

For more information, please feel free to visit my website at: http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

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