Plum Blossoms
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Plum Blossoms in the Snow (detail)
By Wu Taisu (dates unknown), China Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Teikan-en Hozonkai, Niigata）Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
March 18, 2025 (Tue) - April 20, 2025 (Sun)Plum blossoms are widely adored throughout East Asia. In the lingering cold of late winter, they bloom before any other flower and announce the arrival of spring with their fragrant flowers. For scholarly elites, plum blossoms symbolize an ideal, admirable spirit, as they bloom even in the face of harsh winter conditions. As such, they were often featured in ink paintings as they were considered fitting artistic subjects for elites. The present exhibition introduces such paintings of plum blossoms from the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) to the 20th century.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Plum Blossoms in the Snow | By Wu Taisu (dates unknown), China | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Lent by Teikan-en Hozonkai, Niigata | ||
| Highlight | Auspicious Omens of Early Spring | By Chen Jiayan (1599–possibly 1679), China | Qing dynasty, 1678 | TA-519 | |||
| Highlight | Beautiful Woman | By Fei Danxu (1801–1850), China | Qing dynasty, 1837 | TA-152 | |||
| Highlight | Flowering Plants | By Xu Sanyi (dates unknown), China | Qing dynasty, 1745 | TA-287 | |||
| Highlight | Album of Paintings and Calligraphy | By Chen Nian (1876–1970), China | Republic period, 1912 | Gift of Mr. Toda Naoatsu, TA-275 |