'S'upreme Asian Art Terms Quiz | Art

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Maki and Nigiri are two types of what wonderful culinary treat of Japan, the creation of which has become a delicate, if not fleeting, artform?

Answer: Sushi

Typically, one would not think of sushi when one thinks of art, but indeed the creation of sushi is an artform requiring the most delicate of skill. Maki sushi is the typical form you see in restaurants, wherein rice and raw (or cooked) seafood is rolled in a seaweed wrap. Nigiri sushi is also rather common. It simply entails a piece of fish pressed against a small ball of rice. Both types can be dipped in a mixture of soy sauce and wasabi. My mouth is already watering!

2. What is the name of the ancient Indian language used to write the sacred scriptures of the Hindu religion?

Answer: Sanskrit

Sanskrit is one of the most ancient of the Indo-European languages, and is considered the mother tongue of the Hindu religion. Sanskrit spread throughout south and southeast Asia, and indeed many Sanskrit terms made their way into Chinese and Japanese via the spread of Buddhism.

3. In Japan, the beautiful sliding doors with paper screens contained within a wooden lattice are called by what name?

Answer: Shoji

Shoji screens have become quite fashionable in the United States. Beware, however, they do not keep out the sound of the neighboring sections of a room, and certainly do not provide a comfortable defense against differing temperatures. They are loved purely for their beauty and simplicity.

4. In southeast Asia, this is a shrine or tomb mound erected in honor of Buddha, whose relics are placed therein. What is this sacred architectural construct called?

Answer: Stupa

A stupa is typically a semi-spherical building, votive in character. Stupas are also called 'chedi' in Thailand; they contain sacred relics supposedly once belonging to the Buddha.

5. The 'sim' is the main shrine of a temple complex reserved for monks only in what country of southeast Asia?

Answer: Laos

The 'sim' serves as the ordination hall of a Buddhist temple in Laos, a building that only monks are allowed to enter (being of the Theravada Buddhist type, of course!)

6. This is the term for the earliest doctrinal writings of Buddhist and/or Jainist scripture. Which term fits this description?

Answer: Sutra

The term 'sutra' is originally from the Sanskrit, and also may be applied to a rule of Sanskrit literature and/or a set of aphorisms of Hindu law/philosophy. The Kama Sutra is an example of such a work. The sutras of Buddhist and/or Jainist scriptures are simply the key works of scripture for those religions. The most famous Buddhist sutras are probably the Lotus and Diamond Sutras.

7. 'Sancai' is a Chinese term referring to the tri-colored glaze of yellow, green and brown developed for sculpture during which dynasty of Chinese history?

Answer: Tang

The most recognizable 'sancai' sculptures are the Tang horses found in nearly every Asian museum. Occasionally, blue would replace one of the other three colors in the glaze mix. 'Sansai' is also a Japanese term, with essentially the same meaning...another cultural borrowing of that lovely east Asian nation.

8. What is the name of the three-stringed lute-like instrument played by courtesans and geishas in traditional Japan?

Answer: Samisen

The samisen (also spelled 'shamisen') may also be seen as an accompanying instrument in Japanese Kabuki theater. The term 'samisen' comes originally from the Chinese term 'san-xian', meaning 'three strings'.

9. The 'Seven Wise Men' of ancient Chinese history are frequently depicted in paintings, poetry and other art forms. In what sort of place did these wise men typically meet?

Answer: In a bamboo grove

The 'Seven Wise Men of the Bamboo Grove' ('Zhu Lin Qi Xian', literally 'bamboo forest seven saints') lived during the 3rd century A.D., after the fall of the Han Dynasty. They included: Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, Shan Tao, Liu Ling, Ruan Yan, Xiang Xiu and Wang Rong, all famous artists and poets of that ancient period. Chinese scholars often idealize the returning to nature that these men espoused, a Daoist departure to be sure!

10. What is the name of the 'destroyer' god of Hindu myth, very frequently depicted in Hindu painting and sculpture?

Answer: Shiva

Shiva is known as the 'destroyer god', but some people think of him as the 'creator god' as well, considering his wonderful powers. Of the Hindu gods, Shiva is the most popular in terms of number of temples and sculptures. Often, Shiva is depicted riding upon his vahana, Nandi the milky white bull. Whatever you do, don't cross his path! Thank you for playing, I hope you learned a thing or two and will try my other Asian art terms quizzes.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

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'S'upreme Asian Art Terms Trivia Quiz

For those fascinated by Asian art, the following are absolutely necessary terms to get by in any Asian art museum. I wish you luck with these questions, and hope you will learn a thing or two...good luck!

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