A Comparative Study On The Modernization Of Chinese And Japanese Traditional Furniture

It was an important stage of social transformation for both China and Japan in modern times.The modernization of China and Japan began with the opening-up.Under the impact of western culture,China and Japan are faced with varying degrees of "westernization" in politics,economy,culture,ideology and life.In the process of the modernization of China and Japan,the conflict of eastern and western culture,art exchange and the introduction of furniture technology,lay a foundation for the beginnings of traditional furniture modernization in China and Japan.Due to the differences in modern national conditions,social situation,culture,art and technology,Chinese and Japanese furniture have developed along two different paths in the process of modernization.Based on the historical cultural exchange between China,Japan and western countries,this paper makes a multidimensional comparative analysis from the perspectives of the history of society,life,art and technology,by considering four distinct aspects/areas.(1)Since the early 19 th century to the modern period of the Republic of China,traditional Chinese furniture has clearly manifested the characteristics of western art.The development of traditional Chinese furniture is a process of "westernization" essentially,from referring to western art style of decoration and decorative forms,to the process of "modernization" characterised by the introduction of western furniture craftmanship and material,as Chinese architecture and painting are in the modern period.(2)The general situation and the historical background of Chinese and Japanese furniture in the period of modernization are analyzed,the interior decoration is studied,and the evolution of the furniture category of the two countries is compared.At that time,the interior decor of many public buildings was designed and constructed by architects,which is the epitome of the modern interior designer from the architect.The expansion of the Chinese furniture category and increasing influence of westernization adapt to the changes in lifestyle,embodied in the richness and evolution of functionalit mainly.However,the evolution of the Japanese furniture category is marked with the popularization of higher furniture categories in form,and more and more new furniture category have appeared in Japan.(3)The style,modelling and adornment artistry of furniture in the two countries are compared.In the early period of westernization,the traditional furniture of China and Japan used western furniture art style for reference.Conversely,the modelling and adornment artistry development track in Chinese traditional furniture went through a process from simple,complex to complex again while Japanese furniture went through a process from simple,to complex and back to simple again.In the westernization period,some features such as the choice of western style furniture,the imitation of furniture decoration modelling,the application of furniture decoration technique,and different development tracks after absorption,imitation,fusion and innovation,reflects the difference in aesthetic consciousness of the two countries,noticeably in appearance,and especially in essence.That is different awareness of the inheritance of their own traditional cultures.(4)The evolution in the material,structure and technology between the two countries in the modern westernization period.Japan began to learn new techniques and utilise advanced technology.In the process of the introduction of new materials and technologies between the two countries for shellac varnish,plywood,bending wood and so on,Japan preceded China for many years.The drawing standardization technology of furniture design,from the time to learn western furniture design or from using the breadth and standardization degree of drawing,clearly shows that China had fallen behind in the development of furniture and the systematization of furniture science.Evolving from "imitation" to "innovation",Chinese and Japanese traditional furniture making provides us with a wealth of experience.We should hold cultural confidence in the development of original furniture.It's necessary to refer to and actively study others' approaches and it's equally necessary to inherit and innovate our traditional culture.Furthermore,there is value in mining the quintessence of our own traditional culture,whilst also selectively absorbing foreign culture and technology,hence gradually forming Furniture style with Chinese Cultural characteristics,standing proudly at the center of world furniture.