Final answer:
Yamato-e is a Japanese painting style known for bright colors and lack of visible brushwork, while kare-e refers to monochromatic ink paintings. Yamato-e gained prominence during the Heian period, seen in works like the Handscroll of the Tales of Genji, showcasing the period's cultured court life. The Detail of Chuju jinbutsu giga shares yamato-e traits but is distinctively more whimsical.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms yamato-e and kare-e refer to styles of Japanese painting. Yamato-e is characterized by flat areas of bright colors and a lack of visible brushwork, often featuring detailed patterns and decorations, such as seen in the depiction of armor in Hosokawa Sumimoto on Horseback. This style became prominent during the Heian period, noted for cultural growth and interest in poetry and literature, where women of the court painted vibrantly colored images documenting court life. In contrast, kare-e, which is less commonly discussed in comparison to yamato-e, refers to Chinese-influenced monochromatic ink paintings, emphasizing brush strokes and shading.
The Handscroll of the Tales of Genji is a representative work of the yamato-e style, using narrative and decorative techniques to portray the courtly life and stories from the classic work of literature, Genji Monogatari. The style of yamato-e gained prominence during the Heian period because it allowed for an expression of the court's sophistication and beauty, reflecting the refined culture of the time. The Detail of Chuju jinbutsu giga, sometimes considered an early form of manga, illustrates animals in human activities and is known for its whimsical and explanatory approach, which has elements of yamato-e, such as use of color and line, but is also unique in its own right.