Painting and Calligraphy | 16th–19th century
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Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons, Vol. 2 (detail), By Sakai Hōitsu, Edo period, 1818
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 8
August 24, 2021 (Tue) - October 3, 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 | ||
| Scenes from "A Tale of Flowering Fortunes" | By Tosa Mitsusuke (1675–1710) | Edo period, 17th-18th century | A-12182 | ||||
| Highlight | Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons, Vol. 2 | By Sakai Hōitsu (1761–1828) | Edo period, 1818 (Bunka 15) | A-85-2 | |||
| Highlight | Song of Everlasting Sorrow | By Shōkadō Shōjō (1584–1639) | Edo period, 17th century | B-2812 | |||
| Highlight | Letters | By Sakai Hōitsu (1761–1828) | Edo period, 18th-19th century | B-2519 | |||
| Waterfall with an Inscription | By Sengai Gibon (1750–1837) | Edo period, 1827 (Bunsei 10) | Gift of Ms. Kuze Tamie, B-3411 |