'M'ajestic Asian Art Terms Trivia Quiz

Answer: Makemono

The vertical version is called Kakemono. In Chinese, a scroll is called a 'juan'. Most paintings created in both Japan and China are painted upon these scrolls which make transport much easier. We have a lovely scroll from the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, the landscape painting upon it is wonderful to contemplate.

Answer: Mushroom

Specifically, the sacred mushroom of Chinese immortality is called 'lingzhi'. The Chinese are not the only culture in world history who have a long-life/mushroom connection, it seems that the rumors are rampant about a mysterious mushroom somewhere out there that will make Methusalehs of the masses!

Answer: Thai

The mondop is an open pavilion, normally cube-shaped building capped with a conical structure.

Answer: Mara

The demon Mara tempted the Buddha himself while the enlightened one meditated under the Bodhi tree. Mara failed to tempt Buddha much as the demons failed to tempt St. Anthony in Christian myth.

Answer: Dunhuang

The town of Dunhuang served as the eastern terminus of the great Silk Road. Because it was a key point of exchange, many people were attracted to the area for its diversity and freedom of thought and creation. Within the Mogao caves were discovered the fruit of this creative activity, thousands of cave paintings, painted scrolls, literary works, etc.

Answer: Manjusri

While Manjusri is the Sanskrit term, the Chinese term is 'wenshu'. In art, Manjusri is usually depicted riding on a fierce tiger...now I ask you, is that wise?

Answer: Mingei

Mingei, which literally translates as 'folk art' from the Japanese, was coined by the philosopher Yanagi Soetsu (1889-1961) to describe a return to the more personal production of Japanese craftwork. It was a response to the move toward mass production and industrialization in Japanese society.

Answer: Mishima

Though the term 'Mishima style' goes back to the 17th century, Mishima style ware was created as far back as the 10th century in Korea where it was called 'Korai'. As is the case with many art styles, philosophical trends, etc. Mishima style came via the mainland...through Korea.

Answer: Mudra

Examples of mudra include dhyanamudra, where the Buddha's hands lay flat on his lap, and varadamudra, where his right arm extends downward with palm turned outward. If you ever imagine that images of the Buddha all appear to be the same, take a careful look at the placement of his hands...these sculptures are all subtly different.

Answer: Meru

Mt. Meru is the model for the design of many Hindu/Buddhist monuments, temples and sculptures. For example, Borobudur on Java is an example of a temple built in the imagined form and shape of Mt. Meru. Once again, thank you for joining me for this quiz, and please keep an eye out for my 'N' quiz...coming to a Quizzyland near you!