秘教美術
hikyō bijutsu
Esoteric art in Japanese is 秘教美術 (hikyō bijutsu).
秘教美術 is most commonly used in academic, religious or historical contexts to describe art related to occult or secret doctrines.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 秘教 (hikyō), meaning 'esoteric teaching' or 'secret religion' and 美術 (bijutsu), meaning 'art'.
How do you pronounce it?
hikyō bijutsu
Did you know?
- In Japanese Buddhist art, certain 秘教 (hikyō) images are kept in 'hibutsu' warehouses and are only revealed to the public for a few days a year during 'kaichō' ceremonies.
- While 美術 (bijutsu) means 'art' today, the word was not commonly used in Japan until the late 19th century and was created to translate the Western concept of 'fine arts'.
- In Japanese art history, 'esoteric' art often refers to visual symbols that act as a shorthand for complex meditative mantras that cannot be spoken aloud.
Examples in context
- 彼は秘教美術の研究に没頭している。Kare wa hikyō bijutsu no kenkyū ni bottō shite iru.He is immersed in the study of esoteric art.
- この美術館には秘教美術のコレクションがある。Kono bijutsukan ni wa hikyō bijutsu no korekushon ga aru.This art museum has a collection of esoteric art.
- 秘教美術を理解するのは難しい。Hikyō bijutsu o rikai suru no wa muzukashii.It is difficult to understand esoteric art.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are visiting a specialized art gallery.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、この秘教美術の展示はどうですか？Ren-san, kono hikyō bijutsu no tenji wa dō desu ka?Ren, what do you think of this esoteric art exhibition?
- 蓮 Renとても不思議な雰囲気で興味深いですね。Totemo fushigi na fun'iki de kyōmibukai desu ne.It has a very mysterious atmosphere and is quite interesting.
- 美咲 Misaki知識がないと理解するのが難しいかもしれません。Chishiki ga nai to rikai suru no ga muzukashii kamo shiremasen.It might be hard to understand without specialized knowledge.
- 蓮 Renだからこそ、価値があるのだと思います。Dakara koso, kachi ga aru no da to omoimasu.I think that is exactly why it is valuable.
