Flowers, Birds and Insects of the Four Seasons (detail), Artist unknown, Muromachi–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 7
August 24, 2021 (Tue) - October 3, 2021 (Sun)
The paintings here were not just for looking at — they served many other purposes, even that of furniture. Sliding doors divided rooms, while folding screens could be placed anywhere to create private spaces, reduce draftiness, or hide items from view. Sometimes artisans decorated the paintings with gold leaf, which reflected light and helped to brighten dim interiors.
A painting could also change the mood of a room. Ink paintings might create a relaxed or meditative atmosphere. Ones with bright colors and gold leaf might evoke an extravagant feel. The subject matter and style of a painting could also reflect the formality of a room, the current season, and the tastes of the owner. This gallery surrounds visitors with large–scale paintings to show how they create different moods.
Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
Black Pine | By Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716) | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Okazaki Masaya, A-10144 | ||||
Highlight | Flowers, Birds and Insects of the Four Seasons | Artist unknown | Muromachi–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century | A-12188 | |||
The Plains of Musashi | Artist unknown | Edo period, 17th century | A-1423 |