Second Gallery (Room T3, Japanese Gallery) Through the Four Seasons: High-Resolution Facsimiles of Folding Screens

Featured
Japanese Artworks

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  National Treasure
  Amusements under the Blossoms

  By Kanō Naganobu
  Edo period, 17th century

  These folding screens depict a scene of cherry blossom viewing from around 400 years ago. The painting presents a snapshot of people enjoying the cherry blossoms. It splendidly captures the Japanese love of the seasons and joyful appreciation of spring.
  Unfortunately, the two center panels of the right-hand screen were destroyed during the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923.

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  National Treasure
  Cooling Off

  By Kusumi Morikage
  Edo period, 17th century

  Under the eaves of a trellis of moonflowers, a family of three enjoys the coolness of the evening. Silently, they all gaze at the hazy white moon. Sitting next to the father, a calm-faced child emphasizes a strong parental bond. Morikage was one of the four superior painters trained by Kanō Tanyū. This work serves to display his high level of excellence as a painter.

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  National Treasure
  Viewing Maple Leaves

  By Kanō Hideyori
  Muromachi-Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century

  This painting depicts people enjoying themselves while viewing the foliage beside Kiyotaki River in Takao, an area north of Kyoto famed for its beautiful autumn foliage.
  This painting vividly portrays the clothes, food, and forms of entertainment enjoyed by people of the time.

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  National Treasure
  Pine Forest

  By Hasegawa Tōhaku
  Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century

  Using only powerful brush strokes with different shades of ink, the artist has depicted pine trees looming amongst the mist. The painting's charm lies in the way the artist has faithfully captured the atmosphere of the scene rather than painstakingly trying to recreate the actual shape of the trees.