Painting and Calligraphy | 16th–19th century
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Volume 1 of Sketches of the Izu Peninsula and Sagami Province (detail)
By Tani Bunchō (1763–1840), Edo period, 1793 (Important Cultural Property)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 18
September 1, 2026 (Tue) - October 18, 2026 (Sun)A thriving economy, foreign trade, and better education invigorated the development of 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 | Important Cultural Property | Volume 1 of Sketches of the Izu Peninsula and Sagami Province | By Tani Bunchō (1763–1840) | Edo period, 1793 | A-11192-1 | ||
| Highlight | Waka Poem: "On an Autumn Day" | By Ryōkan (1758–1831) | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Takeuchi Shizuko, B-2959 | |||
| Highlight | Ode to the Red Cliffs | By Hon'ami Kōetsu (1558–1637) | Edo period, 17th century | B-3424 |