Final answer:
Westerners admired the decorative gold leaf and the application of linear perspective in Japanese architecture, reflecting a merger of utilitarian function and artistic sophistication. Institutions like the Kano School bridged cultural gaps, influencing Western art through Japonisme. The Nihonga movement arose to preserve traditional Japanese arts in response to Westernization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reform-minded Westerners admired various visual and formal aspects of Japanese architecture for several reasons. The use of decorative gold leaf in panels and screens inside dark castles not only allowed the nobility to flaunt wealth in limited lighting but also impressed Westerners with its effective utilitarian elegance. Additionally, the orderly and detailed application of linear perspective found in traditional Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), as exemplified in the works of artists like Katsushika Hokusai, demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of visual depth that paralleled Western artistic principles.
Furthermore, the Kano School of art, which combined traditional Japanese elements with patterns and colors, showcased a unique blend that attracted Western interest. This institution served as a training ground for artists and was analogous to Western art academies. When Japan opened its borders during the Meiji Restoration, the West's fascination with Japanese culture, known as Japonisme, grew and had a significant influence on Western artists like Monet and Van Gogh. The Nihonga movement, which emerged as a reaction to Westernization, sought to restore traditional Japanese artistic values and capitalize on Western enthusiasm for Japanese art.