Past TNM & TOPPAN MUSEUM THEATER

“Tea leaf Jar. Design of moon and plum tree in overglaze enamels.” by Nonomura Ninsei, and “Writing box. Design of Yatsu-hashi bridge.” by Ogata Korin, are both prominent Japanese works created in the Edo period. The former is classified as an Important Cultural Property and the latter as a National Treasure by the Japanese government.

 

Nonomura Ninsei was a craftsman most famous for kyoyaki ceramics (Kyoto ceramics). He started the Omuro kiln in front of the gates of Ninnaji Temple in the Rakuhoku area of Kyoto. He made pottery for the emperor, nobility, and other high-status customers, and he opened up a new field of work through his overglaze enamels. One of Ninsei’s most definitive works, “Tea leaf Jar. Design of moon and plum tree in overglaze enamels.” portrays a truly colorful scene of a full moon and great plum trees with blossoming red and white flowers. Using our digital archive, it is possible to view this painting from perspectives not possible when viewing the real article. Experience for yourself the microcosm created by Ninsei upon this limited surface.

Also of the Edo period, Ogata Korin was a genius artist of the Rinpa school.
His father a high-class dry-goods dealer, Korin was blessed with an environment that put him in frequent contact with art and design, developing his sense of aesthetics from a young age. At age 44, Korin was conferred the honorary rank Hokkyo in recognition of his ability, and he is thought to have been most seriously active in his work from the time until his death 15 years later. The most prominent lacquer art piece among Korin’s many great works in this period is “Writing box. Design of Yatsu-hashi bridge.” The exterior of the box features irises and the “Eight Bridges (Yatsu-hashi),” a famous scene of Japanese classical literature found in The Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari). The interior is decorated with a water pattern. If the box is viewed from the inside, the interior water pattern and exterior painting overlap to create a variety of intersections in an image of utter beauty.