Final answer:
The claim about Shoji Yamaguchi mentoring Theaster Gates is false; Shoji Yamaguchi is a fictional character created by Gates. Instead, historical figures like Kano Eitoku and Ando Hiroshige have left a significant mark on Japanese art. false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Shoji Yamaguchi was a Japanese ceramics master who mentored Theaster Gates is false. Instead, Theaster Gates, an American artist known for his ceramic work and urban intervention projects, created a fictional character named Shoji Yamaguchi as part of his art narrative to explore concepts of race, history, and lore. When discussing Japanese artistry, it's important to mention correct artists and historical figures who have influenced the art world, such as Kano Eitoku and Ando Hiroshige, known for their contributions during different historical periods of Japan.
Kano Eitoku, a real historical figure, was significant in the Momoyama period, working on large scale commissions from powerful figures like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Using a collaborative approach, Eitoku involved all members of the Kano School for producing gold-leaf backgrounds on folding screens and sliding doors that were popular during the Momoyama period.
The work of Ando Hiroshige, a master printmaker, is celebrated for its design strength, particularly in showcasing the principle of asymmetry, as can be seen in his work Shinagawa on the Tokaido.