Painting and Calligraphy | 16th–19th century
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Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Sponge Gourds and Water Hyacinths, By Itō Jakuchū, Edo period, 1768
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 8
July 13, 2021 (Tue) - August 22, 2021 (Sun)A thriving economy, foreign trade, and better education invigorated painting and calligraphy. Previously, ruling classes like the samurai and court nobility were the main patrons of art. But in the Edo period (1603–1868), more people started to benefit from the economy. Successful merchants in particular gained the wealth to support artists and buy their works.
Many painters continued working in traditional styles, while others started looking to outside sources for inspiration. Paintings and painting manuals imported from China were one source. Another was the books and prints that traders brought from Europe, which showed techniques like realistic shading and perspective. As a result, painting in Japan became more diverse in style and subject matter.
Meanwhile, the ancient custom of writing with a brush and ink continued. The literacy rate increased dramatically as schools for different social classes were established, particularly in cities and towns. The publishing industry thrived and more people took up the art of calligraphy.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Nachi Falls | By Ike no Taiga (1723–76) | Edo period, 18th century | A-11521 | |||
| Ferryboat | By Hanabusa Itchō (1652–1724) | Edo period, 18th century | A-11617 | ||||
| Highlight | Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Sponge Gourds and Water Hyacinths | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-5 | |||
| Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Chinese Mallows and Hydrangeas | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-6 | ||||
| Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Bleeding Hearts and Arrowroot | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-8 | ||||
| Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Grape Vines and Orchids | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-10 | ||||
| Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Palm Fronds and Irises | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-13 | ||||
| Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Cotton Rosemallows and Soy Beans | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-15 | ||||
| Highlight | Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Rose Balsam and Turnips | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-19 | |||
| Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Cowpeas and Eggplants | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, 1768 (Meiwa 5) | A-12445-20 | ||||
| Highlight | Poems and Letters | By Yoshida Shōin (1830–59) | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Mr. Nagahara Gen, B-2920 | |||
| Epigraph for Suisaisha Hall of Koume | By Fujita Tōko (1806–55) | Edo period, 1845 (Kōka 2) | Gift of Mr. Akiyama Matsutarō, B-1404 |