Ozhoha-Maslovska A. Japonisme in the art of Ukraine of the late 20th – early 21st century.

The thesis is the first attempt at a comprehensive study of contemporary Ukrainian art in the context of Japonisme as a phenomenon of world culture. The paper covers scientific discussions on the term “Japonisme”, outlines the main approaches in the research on Japonisme as a cultural phenomenon. In the thesis Japonisme is interpreted as the influence and assimilation of Japanese culture in the minds of other cultures.It is found that Japonisme of the new wave arose on prepared ground: interest in Japanese culture and art remained for almost a century. It was reflected in the works of such Ukrainian artists as (M. Boychuk, I. Padalka, V. Sedlyar, etc.). Scientists who researched and formed collections of Japanese artifacts made a great contribution to the formation of ideas about Japan. An important educational function was also performed by private collectors, whose activities marked the beginning of the formation of future national collections of Japanese art.It is proved that in contrast to European Japonisme, which was fully realized in the works of the Impressionists and Art Nouveau in the late 19th – early 20th centuries, Ukrainian Japonisme was interrupted by repressive machine of the Soviet system in the first third of the 20th century and did not receive further development. This process was revived only with the opening of borders and Ukraine's independence in 1991. Existing myths about Japan as a country of courageous samurai following the code of honor (bushido), as a picturesque country with a philosophical worldview and preserved artistic crafts corresponded to the mood of national upsurge and romanticization of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, contemplation of the Ukrainian landscape and culture.It is established that from the 1990s to the present day information substantiation of Japonisme in Ukraine has been gradually changed in quality manner. Artistic events of museums and galleries, the emergence of powerful private collections of Japanese art and their display at exhibition areas in Ukraine; festivals dedicated to Japanese culture; appearance of art courses, studios and clubs for the study of Japanese art and sports techniques; saturation of the book market with translations from Japanese and illustrated publications on Japanese art, activities of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine to promote traditional arts and crafts have all contributed to a surge of interest in Japanese culture which was formed and not fully realized in previous times.