mokkotsu　没骨

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: mogu. Sometimes pronounced bokkotsu. Lit. boneless. A painting technique in which objects are rendered without using an outline. It is considered one of two primary painting techniques, the other being *kouroku 鉤勒. This technique originated in China and, according to some specialists, the proper usage should be limited to painting in color. However, the term is also commonly used for ink renderings without outlines. The historical usage of the technique differs according to whether ink wash is included or not. When limited to paintings in color, the technique is seen mostly in bird and flower painting *kachouga 花鳥画. Although it was first seen in the mid-Tang dynasty painting, the most famous artists associated with mokkotsu painting are Xu Chongsi (Jp:Jo Suushi 徐崇嗣; fl. first half of the 14c), and Yun Shouping (Jp:Un Juhei �ﾂ寿平; 1633-90). It is not clear when this technique was brought to Japan, but it is seen in bird-and-flower and fish paintings primarily from the Edo period . When associated with the ink painting tradition, mokkotsu has been used to create mountains since early times, and is considered to have entered Japan in the Muromachi period. It is seen particularly in the work of Souami 相阿弥 (? -1525).

REFERENCES:

EXTERNAL LINKS:

NOTES:

(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。