10 essential Japanese art terms explained

This is a traditional Japanese garment, literally meaning ‘thing to wear’. The shape, how it is worn and how the sash – or obi – is tied all carry meaning. The kimono you see here was made for a young, unmarried woman.

Netsuke are decorative obi buttons that come in all kinds of shapes. These miniature sculptures served as a kind of spirit animal to the person wearing them.

An inrō is a small lacquer case that consists of several compartments. Because kimonos didn’t have pockets, inrō were carried on the obi and contained items such as medicine, herbs, tea and personal seals.

Shunga are Japanese erotic prints. This genre originated in the 8th century and flourished between 1600 and 1850. The word ‘shunga’ literally means ‘picture of spring’, with spring serving as a euphemism for sex.

Shikki is Japanese lacquerware. The lacquer is made from the sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum, also known as the Chinese lacquer tree. A shikki image is built up of dozens of layers of lacquer, often decorated with gold powder (maki-e).

Arita porcelain was first made 400 years ago in and around the southern Japanese town of Arita. The porcelain is known for its decorative scenes in blue, red, green and yellow against a white backdrop.

Noh theatre originated in the 14th century under Shogun Yoshimitsu (1358–1408), and is still practised today. During a noh performance, actors search for poetic beauty and gentle elegance (yūgen) through song, dance and gesture.

Kabuki theatre originated around 1600 and quickly became one of the most beloved forms of popular entertainment, with spectacular performances that feature historical heroes, animals, ghosts, thieves and prostitutes.

Symbolizing transience, sakura cherry blossoms have been extremely popular in Japan for centuries. It’s a Japanese custom to have a picnic under a blooming sakura tree, and there is even a special weather forecast.

Ukiyo-e means ‘pictures of the floating world’. The prints were made using woodblocks. The most famous ukiyo-e printmaker is Hokusai. His wave print is so iconic that it has even been turned into an emoji.