Painting and Calligraphy | 16th–19th century
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"Corn and Sea Bindweed" from the Album Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals, By Itō Jakuchū, Edo period, dated 1768
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 8
July 19, 2023 (Wed) - September 3, 2023 (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 | Mirror of Emperors | By Kanō Tan'yū (1602-74) and others | Edo period, 17th century | A-11156 | |||
| The Sages Xu You and Chaofu | By Kusumi Morikage (dates unknown) | Edo period, 17th century | A-12286 | ||||
| "Sponge Gourds and Water Hyacinths" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-5 | ||||
| "Palm Fronds and Irises" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-13 | ||||
| "Morning Glory and Beauty Willow" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-14 | ||||
| "Turnips and Rose Balsam" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716–1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-19 | ||||
| "Pumpkin and Beach Rose" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-21 | ||||
| "Corn and Sea Bindweed" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-22 | ||||
| "Angular Winter Cherry and Cobra Lilies" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-23 | ||||
| Highlight | "Shrubby Bushclover and Weeping Willow" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals" | By Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) | Edo period, dated 1768 | A-12445-25 | |||
| Highlight | Painting of Bamboo with an Inscription | By Satō Issai | Edo period, dated 1834 | Gift of Mr. Kawada Yasushi, B-3140 |