Japanese Occupation

JAPANESE ERA (1941 – 1945)

Since the Japanese advocated for theculture of East Asia, preference wasgiven to the indigenous art and traditionsof the Philippines. This emphasized theirpropaganda in Asia. Under the Japaneseoccupation of Manila, the Modern ArtProject would slow down in pace. Earlymoderns and conservatives alikecontinued to produce art and evenparticipated in KALIBAPI ( Kapisanan saPaglilingkod ng Bagong Pilipinas)sponsored art competitions.

Nevertheless, art production once againtilted to fulfill the agenda and demands ofthe new colonial order. The Japaneseforces led the formation of the greaterEast Asia Co – Prosperity Sphere, apropaganda movement that sought tocreate a Pan – Asian identity thatrejected Western traditions. Theproductions of images, texts, and musicunderwent scrutiny.In music, the composer National ArtistFelipe de Leon was said to have beencommanded to write AWIT SA PAGLIKHANG BAGONG PILIPINAS. Declared as theanthem specifically for the period, itconveyed allegiance to the nation rearedin East Asia, where Japan was activelyasserting its political power.

Philippine Art Japanese Occupation - Japanese invasion caused fear, suffering and hardships to the Filipinos. The development of art stopped because of the war.

The known dark time of the Philippines was when the Japanese Occupation happened during 1946 until 1969. Due to WW II many artworks, building, and lives were being destroyed, but this was when Modern Art was slowly making its name known to the world.

Filipinos were deprived from freedom of expression and speech because the Japanese stopped the publication. But they also influenced us with poem style (Tanaga and Haiku).

Despite the sufferings some artist still expressed themselves. Like the painting below which is the Manila War Ruins (1945) painted by Ferdinand Amorsolo.