Bijin (??) is a Japanese term which literally means "a beautiful person". In that it originally derives from Chinese word ??, the word ?? is used widely in several Asian countries including China, South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam.
Video Bijin
Meaning
In practice the term bijin means "beautiful woman" because the first kanji character, bi (?), has a feminine connotation. Bijin can also be translated as "a beauty"; in a modern and informal context it means "a doll". People who are called a bijin are usually beautiful, charming and harmonious women, who wear pretty clothes.
In Mandarin Chinese, ?? (Pinyin: m?irén) also means "a beautiful woman". Like Mandarin Chinese, in Korean language, ??(Hangul: ??; RR: Miin) means "a beautiful woman".
Maps Bijin
In Japanese art
Pictures of bijin in Japanese art are called bijin-ga. Bijin-ga is described as a genre of ukiyo-e paintings. Some of the greatest bijinga artists are Utamaro, Suzuki Harunobu and Torii Kiyonaga. Until the beginning of the 20th century, bijin-ga were very popular.
Famous bijin
Akita, located on Honshu, in northern Japan, is famous for its "bijin of Akita" which are characterized by their round face, clear skin and high-pitched voice. Ono no Komachi, one of the Thirty-six Immortals of Poetry, was a beauty from Akita.
Fukuoka, the largest city of Kyushu island in southern Japan, is also known for a large population of bijins.
Some of Utamaro's favourite models have remained famous as bijin; for example Naniwaya Okita (fr), a courtesan Hana?gi (fr), Tomimoto Toyohina (fr) and Takashima Ohisa.
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Images du Monde Flottant - Peintures et estampes japonaises XVIIe - XVIIIe siècles. (Septembre 2004) (ISBN 2-7118-4821-3)
See also
- Bijin-ga
- Bihaku
- Bishoujo
Source of article : Wikipedia
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