International Journal of English Language and Translation Studies (Oct 2020)
Translation Errors Involving Nihonga (Japanese Painting): An Argument to Correct the Record
Abstract
The word Nihonga (Japanese painting) carries such a weight of cultural importance in the Japanese painting community as to make the translation of words describing Nihonga problematic. This paper explores reasons this has happened making use of standard texts on the materials and techniques of painting and investigating modern Japanese painting history, concluding that because Japanese art was under such great pressure from the popularity enjoyed by Western styled painting being newly imported in the Meiji Era (1868- 1912) that at its conception the modern school of Nihonga attempted to distinguish itself from this foreign invasion, creating problems that remain with translation of Nihonga terms to the present day.
