5. **What role do traditional crafts, such as ceramics, textile arts, and lacquerware, play in Japan's cultural identity, and how are these crafts being preserved or evolved in the 21st century?
4. **How did the aesthetics and principles of Zen Buddhism influence the development of Japanese garden design, and what are some iconic examples of this influence?
3. **In what ways have contemporary Japanese artists incorporated traditional techniques or themes into modern art forms, and how is this reflective of broader cultural changes in Japan?
2. **How does the concept of "ma" (negative space) manifest in Japanese art forms like Ikebana (flower arranging) or Sumi-e (ink painting), and what philosophical or cultural beliefs does it reflect?
**What are the key characteristics that distinguish Ukiyo-e woodblock prints from other forms of traditional Japanese art, and how did they influence Western art movements such as Impressionism?
What are the characteristic features of traditional Japanese ink wash painting (Sumi-e), and how do they reflect the cultural and philosophical principles of Japan?
