Katherine Buljan: Statement

From Myths to Beliefs (Japanese Spirituality)

World spiritualities, religions and mythologies are the themes that have been present in Katharine’s art practice since its inception. These themes are also present in her recent series of paintings; this time they have been inspired to a great extent by her theoretical research into Shinto, a Japanese native religion. Katharine did this research for the book she co-authored, titled Anime, Religion and Spirituality: Profane and Sacred Worlds in Contemporary Japan (Equinox, 2015). Her recent paintings mostly focus on stories from Shinto’s oldest texts, Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), both dating from the 8th century. This series attempts to reflect on the richness of Japanese spirituality and its emphasis on the intertwining and closeness of the real and supernatural realms.

Dreamland Magic I

This has been inspired by Japan’s longstanding belief in the importance of dream symbolism and its relation to decision-making and future of the sleeper. This belief dates back to Jomon period (about 100,000 BC – 300 BC) when it was believed that dreams where indeed controlled by spirits. Kojiki, one of Shinto’s oldest texts records that Emperor Sujin (148 BC- 29 BC) made many important decisions based on interpretation of his dreams.

Dreamland Magic II

This work belongs to the series that have been inspired by Katharine’s theoretical research into Shinto, a Japanese native religion, and its stories from Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), both dating from 8th century. This theoretical research Katharine did for the book on Japanese animation, which she co-authored with Professor Carole M. Cusack (the University of Sydney). The book is published in 2015 by Equinox, an academic publisher based in UK. Its title is Anime, Religion and Spirituality: Profane and Sacred Worlds in Contemporary Japan. Shirayuki, the Holy Horse and the Moment of Purification was inspired by old Japanese belief that if one sees a horse near Shinto’s temple will be purified of all sins. According to Shinto’s belief, a horse is a messenger between kami (divine beings) and humans. In 2013 this work was selected as a finalist for the 62nd Blake Prize for Religious Art.

About the work Spiritual Aura of Miko

This work belongs to the series that have been inspired by Katharine’s theoretical research into Shinto, a Japanese native religion, and its stories from Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), both dating from 8th century. This theoretical research Katharine did for the book on Japanese animation, which she co-authored with Professor Carole M. Cusack (the University of Sydney). The book is published in 2015 by Equinox, an academic publisher based in UK. Its title is Anime, Religion and Spirituality: Profane and Sacred Worlds in Contemporary Japan. Spiritual Aura of Miko has been inspired by miko’s (Shinto’s priestess) sacred dance called kagura. In ancient times mikos were believed to be female-shamans who had the ability to communicate with kami (divine beings or gods) and spirit world through kagura dance.