Proposal for Art History Essay (Wk 9)

Proposal for Art History Essay

Tentative Claim:
The probable, similar intentions behind the creation of the clay Terracotta figures found in the First Emperor’s tomb and the Haniwa figures found in a Japanese Emperor’s tomb. (Namely Emperor Nintoku and Ojin during the Kofun period)

Introduction: (Point-form)
Similar materials and similar creation techniques; the purpose behind these two mysterious figurines have always been debated back and forth. The terracotta warriors from the First Emperor’s tomb have always been largely accepted to be the replacement of live human sacrifices; whilst the origins and purpose of the Haniwa figures from Japanese Emperors have always been a mystery. Hypothetically, I propose that the similarities between the two figures from varying culture share an intimate relationship behind the intentions that the figures carries forth.

Plan for essay:
– Introduction (Claim)
> 3 supporting arguments (Condensed.)
1. Quantity and Placement of figurines
Jap: More decorative and ornamental like trophies, rewarding of the general worthy of serving by emperor’s side previously. At entrances, like guards? Huge quantity of 11k in numbers at Nintoku’s grave; three mounts too. Reflects status.
Chinese: Servants, similar to ancient Egypt. Numerous, refer to history that they are used to replace live human sacrifices due to the lack of manpower. Even to the point there is almost a battalion like sequence to them. Coloured and intricate; best for the emperor? Lifelike since they represent real funerary goods.

2. Size and appearance
Jap: Slightly smaller than life-styles, but realistic in its depiction of the samurai armour.
Chinese: Life-sized with varying expressions; have proven to be coloured but paint faded over time and erosion.

3. Materials
Jap: Clay
Chinese: Terracotta

Essay drafts:

Tentative bibliography:

1. Li Li. China’s Cultural Relics. Translated by Li Zhurun. People’s Republic of China: WuZhou Communication Press, 2004.

  1. Johnson, Hiroko. Haniwa. Encyclopedia of the Ancient World. United States of America: Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2001. Accessed March 13, 2017. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezlibproxy1.ntu.edu.sg/eds/detail/detail?sid=4c3459f2-0168-43ed-ae4e-f39890201e31%40sessionmgr104&vid=4&hid=4110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=ers&AN=89405842.
  2. Zhang Wenli. The Qin Terracotta Army: Treasures of Lintong. Translated by Li Tianshu, Du Qimei, Zhang Siying, and Chen Haiyan. Edited by Susan Whitfield. London: Scala Books, Cultural Relics Publishing House, 1996.
  3. Alain Thote, Martin Powers, David W. Pankenier, Eugene Wang, Anthony Barrieri-Low, Edward L. Shaughnessy, Kuang Yu Chen, Jenny F.So, Wang Hui, and Liu Yang. Beyond the First Emperor’s Mausoleum: New Perspectives on Qin Art. Edited by Liu Yang. USA: Books and Projects LLC, 2014.

2 thoughts on “Proposal for Art History Essay (Wk 9)

  1. Sujatha Meegama

    Calista,
    You have begun with a good claim but it seems incomplete: are you comparing the intentions behind the building of the tomb figures by the two rulers? If so, how are you planning to do this?
    The introduction needs to be much stronger. This is a good place to bring in some textual sources to provide the contextual information of the two objects.
    There are some very interesting ideas in your plan for your essay: ornamental trophies, guards, status, etc. What if you work from your points of comparison to come up with a stronger thesis?
    Good find on Haniwa, but look for more on the Terracotta warriors.
    Hope this helps,
    Sujatha
    P.S. Please do not abbreviate Japanese (there are very negative connotations to that abbreviation that takes us back to WWII.

  2. Calista Lee Post author

    Feedback from last week (Important points to note):
    1. Need a stronger, clearer claim: are you comparing the intentions behind the building of the tomb figures by the two rulers? If so, how are you planning to do this?

    2. To improve on introduction by adding in contextual information and other main points to the supporting of the evidences, especially textual evidences.

    3. To work the ideas to support the essay into the thesis and make it stronger. Look more into the terracotta warriors segment. AND not to abbreviate the Japanese.

    TASK Peer review (Week 10): Introduction and two paragraphs with a point for peer review at tutorials.

    Proposal #2 – Tentative Title: The

    Tentative Claim:
    The probable, similar intentions behind the creation of the clay Terracotta figures found in the First Emperor’s tomb and the Haniwa figures found in a Japanese Emperor’s tomb. (Namely Emperor Nintoku and Ojin during the Kofun period)

    Edition #1:
    The intentions behind the building and creation of the Terracotta figures in the First Emperor’s tomb and the Haniwa Figures found in Japanese Emperor Nintoku’s tomb are similar towards their purpose of serving the Emperor in their afterlife. It is a point of contention as seen from the crossing similarities and minute differences in their characteristics and histories, namely: the History behind the Holy, Deity-like Statuses the Emperors enjoy, their size and appearances, as well as the material intricacies the figurines themselves were made in. I believe that the life-size Terracotta warriors found in the burial mount in Lintong, Shanxi Province in China were every bit as valuable and important to the smaller, plains for the Haniwa figurines based in the suggested burial location over at Osaka Plains at the Daisen Kofun for Emperor Nintoku. It is essential to bear in mind that both Emperors were thought to be descendants of the heavens; to which the influence vastly affects the whole purpose behind the creation of the Haniwa figurines and Terracotta warriors respectively.

    1. Holy statuses of the Emperors
    2. Size and Appearances
    3. Materials

    > 3 supporting arguments (Condensed.)
    1. Quantity and Placement of figurines
    Japanese: More decorative and ornamental like trophies, rewarding of the general worthy of serving by emperor’s side previously. At entrances, like guards? Huge quantity of 11k in numbers at Nintoku’s grave; three mounts too. Reflects status.
    Chinese: Servants, similar to ancient Egypt. Numerous, refer to history that they are used to replace live human sacrifices due to the lack of manpower. Even to the point there is almost a battalion like sequence to them. Coloured and intricate; best for the emperor? Lifelike since they represent real funerary goods.

    2. Size and appearance
    Japanese: Slightly smaller than life-styles, but realistic in its depiction of the samurai armour.
    Chinese: Life-sized with varying expressions; have proven to be coloured but paint faded over time and erosion.

    3. Materials
    Japanese: Clay
    Chinese: Terracotta

    Feedback (Peer Review):
    funnel-shaped achieved: from broad overall intro down to specific point of discussion
    intro of topic and objects of comparison is achieved
    brief facts
    need a bit more of details of objects
    claim – tentative and not yet finalised?
    plan for essay – can identify what the 3 points of discussions are
    interesting essay POV – focusing on appearances of the terracotta

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