Changes

*''Japanese'': 見立 ''(mitate)''

*''Japanese'': 見立 ''(mitate)''

''Mitate'' is a technique used in ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' images, as well as in other creative forms, in which many layers of meaning are layered atop one another, often to humorous effect; that is, a technique by which references to historical or fictional events or personages, or ideas, are embedded into images. This most often manifests in a juxtaposition of high and low cultures, a common example being the depiction of a [[Yoshiwara]] courtesan standing in for, or representing, [[Bodhidharma]], founder of [[Zen]], or one of the classical Chinese [[Paragons of Filial Piety]]. Such images are called ''mitate-e'' (見立絵), or "''mitate'' pictures."

''Mitate'' is a technique used in ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' images, as well as in other creative forms, in which many layers of meaning are layered atop one another, often to humorous effect; that is, a technique by which references to historical or fictional events or personages, or ideas, are embedded into images. This most often manifests in a juxtaposition of high and low cultures, a common example being the depiction of a [[Yoshiwara]] courtesan standing in for, or representing, [[Bodhidharma]], founder of [[Zen]], or one of the classical Chinese [[Paragons of Filial Piety]]. Such images are called ''mitate-e'' (見立絵), or "''mitate'' pictures."

''Mitate'' is a [[kanji]] compound composed of the character 見, meaning "to see" or "to show", and the character 立, meaning "to stand." The core meaning of ''mitate'' might therefore be said to be something along the lines of standing something up to be shown (displayed) or seen as serving a particular purpose, or representing a particular idea.

''Mitate'' is a [[kanji]] compound composed of the character 見, meaning "to see" or "to show", and the character 立, meaning "to stand." The core meaning of ''mitate'' might therefore be said to be something along the lines of standing something up to be shown (displayed) or seen as serving a particular purpose, or representing a particular idea.

The earliest instance of the word appears in the ''[[Kojiki]]'', in which [[Izanagi]] and [[Izanami]] "'set up [choose?] a pillar to be the pillar of heaven' (''ame no mi-hashira o mitate''), so as to sanctify the hall." The term continues to appear in the ''[[Kokinshu|Kokinshû]]'', and other materials, the term ''nazoraeru'' (to imitate, to pattern after) appearing quite frequently in later, medieval ([[Muromachi period]]) documents.

The earliest instance of the word appears in the ''[[Kojiki]]'', in which [[Izanagi]] and [[Izanami]] "'set up [choose?] a pillar to be the pillar of heaven' (''ame no mi-hashira o mitate''), so as to sanctify the hall.<ref>Clark. p7.</ref>" The term continues to appear in the ''[[Kokinshu|Kokinshû]]'', and other materials, the term ''nazoraeru'' (to imitate, to pattern after) appearing quite frequently in later, medieval ([[Muromachi period]]) documents.

While Japanese literature and other arts have always employed layers of meaning, references, and symbolism, the particular [[Edo period]] flavor of ''mitate'' can be said to have first appeared in ''[[haikai]]'' verses, before becoming employed widely in ''ukiyo-e''.

While Japanese literature and other arts have always employed layers of meaning, references, and symbolism, the particular [[Edo period]] flavor of ''mitate'' can be said to have first appeared in ''[[haikai]]'' verses, before becoming employed widely in ''ukiyo-e''.