Ancient China: Source of Japanese culture

 

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor  May 18–October 12  The Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706  www.bowers.org

 

Cultural News, July 2008

 

 

Standing Archer, Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C) clay, height 186 cm, width across arms 97 cm, weight 180 kg, excavated in 1980 from Pit 2, Museum of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang, Lintong, photo © Wang Da-Gang

 

  Japanese civilization traces to around 3rd century B.C. when ancient people in Korea Peninsula began migration to Japan with ancient Chinese culture. A few centuries later, Japanese writing system developed from Chinese writing system. Even Japanese emperors were eager to bring Buddhism from China to Japan.

 

   Learning Chinese history is an essential part of learning Japanese culture. As a good case of this historical learning, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, the current exhibition at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is considered as not only the origin of Chinese history but also the source of Japanese culture. 

 

    Terra Cotta Warriors is the largest loan of terra cotta figures and significant artifacts to ever travel to the U.S. from the tomb complex of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259–210 B.C.).

 

   Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the First Emperor’s enormous mausoleum features thousands of terra cotta warriors that were intended to protect him throughout eternity. Since their discovery, the terra cotta army has often been termed the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World.

 

   The exhibition provides a deeper knowledge of this historical site and showcases 100 sets of objects, which includes approximately 20 life-size figures representing all aspects of the emperor’s army. Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor has opened at the Bowers Museum on May 18 and runs through October 12. 

 

    Co-organized by the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and National Geographic Society Museum, and Guest Curator Dr. Albert E. Dien, professor emeritus, Stanford University, Terra Cotta Warriors features the iconic terra cotta warriors alongside recently excavated sculptures of court officials, acrobats, generals, and bronze birds. The objects were drawn from 11 different collections in  and near Xi’an, China.

 

     In 1974, a small group of farmers digging a well near the town of Lintong made a startling discovery of a terra cotta head. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered an astonishing scene: an immense subterranean vault containing long columns of life-size terra cotta warriors with armor, chariots, and horses standing in battle formation.

 

    The discovery subsequently led to scientific excavations that unearthed more than 1,000 life-size figures in three underground pits and up to 7,000 figures may be found in the future.

 

    Construction of the First Emperor’s tomb took 38 years and began soon after he became King of the state of Qin. Although the tomb mound was visible aboveground, the terra cotta figures were a surprise when discovered because they had not been previously documented.

 

    The terra cotta army was created as an elite unit to guard the emperor in his afterlife. It is estimated that over 1,000 people were divided into 87 teams to produce the terra cotta warriors. They were all made by hand in assembly-line fashion and none are alike.

 

    Human figures of soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats, and animals were intended to create a familiar atmosphere for the emperor and meet his every need in the afterlife. Each figure has a different facial expression and serves a unique purpose.

 

    To provide a visual context for visitors, the exhibition galleries is specially designed to capture the power and spiritual essence of the First Emperor’s tomb complex.

 

    The first gallery provides a dramatic backdrop for visitors and includes several terra cotta figures displayed together to emulate their overwhelming presence. The exhibition installation takes visitors on a journey of discovery that is similar to the way archaeologists found the objects.

 

   Tickets are weekdays: $25 adults, $19 students and seniors (over 62); weekends: $27 adults, $21 students and seniors (over 62). Admission for children under 6 is free. PIMCO’s Free Friday Nights offers free admission for up to 100 visitors per hour at 4, 5, 6, and 7 pm. The museum closes at 8pm.

 

     The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706. Open hours are: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pm; the fourth Thursday of every month, 10 am–8 pm. For more information, call (714) 567-3600 or log on to www.bowers.org.