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The Imperial Court and the Zhe School: Painting and Calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty

  • Image of "Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons (detail), By Lu Ji, Ming dynasty, 15th–16th century (Important Cultural Property)"

    Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons (detail), By Lu Ji, Ming dynasty, 15th–16th century (Important Cultural Property)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
    March 2, 2021 (Tue) - April 11, 2021 (Sun)

    At the imperial court of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), paintings of birds and flowers, animals, human figures, and landscapes were initially produced by painters from Zhejiang and Fujian province, who had inherited the style of Song dynasty (960–1279) court painters. The style of the Ming dynasty court then spread to the countryside, where regional artists developed it into an eccentric new style with eloquent brushwork. The literati referred to these artists as the Zhe School and criticized their unorthodox style.

    This exhibition introduces paintings of the Ming dynasty court and the Zhe school, together with related works of calligraphy.

    List of Exhibits
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons, By Lu Ji, China, Ming dynasty, 15th–16th century (Important Cultural Property)
Seeking Blossoms, Handscroll, By Shi Rui, China, Ming dynasty, 15th century (Important Cultural Property, Private collection)
Landscape, By Li Zai, China, Ming dynasty, 15th century (Important Cultural Property)
Solitary Angler on a Wintry River, By Zhu Duan, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Important Cultural Property)
Fisherman, Hanging scroll, By Zhang Lu, China, Ming dynasty, 16th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by Gokokuji, Tokyo, On exhibit from March 23, 2021)
Poems, Handscroll, By Qi Zhijia and others, China, Ming dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Ichikawa Santei)
Inkstones in the Shape of Butterfly Wings, Signed by Xiao Lan, China, Qing dynasty, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Brush Holder with Eighteen Arhats, China, Qing dynasty, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Exhibitions