''Landscape by Sesshū'' is one of the most securely
authenticated
Authentication (from ''authentikos'', "real, genuine", from αὐθέντης ''authentes'', "author") is the act of proving an assertion, such as the identity of a computer system user. In contrast with identification, the act of indicati ...
works of the Japanese
Muromachi period artist
Sesshū (1420–1506). It is an
ink wash in the private collection of the Ōhara family in
Kurashiki,
Okayama Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Okayama Prefecture has a population of 1,906,464 (1 February 2018) and has a geographic area of 7,114 Square kilometre, km2 (2,746 sq mi). Okayama Prefectur ...
, Japan. The
hanging scroll
A hanging scroll is one of the many traditional ways to display and exhibit East Asian painting and calligraphy. The hanging scroll was displayed in a room for appreciation; it is to be distinguished from the handscroll, which was narrower and ...
has been
designated
Designation (from Latin ''designatio'') is the process of determining an incumbent's successor. A candidate that won an election for example, is the ''designated'' holder of the office the candidate has been elected to, up until the candidate's i ...
a
National Treasure
The idea of national treasure, like national epics and national anthems, is part of the language of romantic nationalism, which arose in the late 18th century and 19th centuries. Nationalism is an ideology that supports the nation as the fundame ...
.
Painting
Executed in the or carefully delineated (as opposed to or
hatsuboku, "splashed ink") style, the landscape is thought to be one of the artist's final works.
The vertical accent of two pine trees takes the place of a central mountain peak, while the distant shore has a "modern" horizon line unusual for the period.
The zigzag path leading to a pavilion on a lookout point contributes to the painting's considerable "spatial depth".
Journeying along the path are an old wanderer accompanied by a young attendant, recurrent figures in Sesshū's landscapes.
The contrast between the dilute ink of the sea and sky and the more concentrated rocks and vegetation, and the expressive use of the background tone of the paper, helps give the painting its "impression of extreme intensity".
Touches of colour include green wash over the pine needles and of orange in the buildings; ink added to the pale yellow wash on the path almost gives the effect of
shadows cast by the rocks.
Inscriptions
To the left are Sesshū's signature and seal, while above are two poetic inscriptions or , by friends of the painter. The one on the right is by , a
Zen priest with connections, like Sesshū, with the
Ōuchi clan. That on the left by
Ryōan Keigo was a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and diplomat in the Muromachi period.Goodrich, L. Carrington ''et al.'' (1976) ''Dictionary of Ming biography, 1368-1644,'' Vol. II, pp. 1149-1150./ref> He was the chief envoy of a 1511–1513 mission sent by ...
is dated 1507, the year after the painter's death.
嶮崖径折繞羊腸Mountain precipice, the winding path twists along,
白髪蒼頭歩似徉a grey-haired man, his servant wandering on foot,
旧日韋村枯竹短from distant times tanned-leather village, withered bamboo stumps,
前朝簫寺老松長close at hand flute temple, towering old pines,
東漂西泊舟千里to the east afloat, west at anchor, boats to journey a thousand li,
北郭南涯夢一場northern districts, southern shores united in a dream.
我亦相従欲帰去I too would follow on this journey,
青山聳処是家郷where blue mountains rise up, my family village.
牧松周省書by Bokushō Shūshō
詩画尋常欲遣情Poetry and painting inspire pleasant feelings,
人間何地卜長生but where do men live for long?
層巒畳嶂剣鋩矗In the mountain range peaks jut out like daggers,
極浦廻塘屏障横far away a curving bay separated off,
径路岩隈蟠繚繞a narrow path winds between rocks,
楼台樹蔭聳崢嶸towers and trees soar up high.
牧松遣韻雪舟逝Bokushō has left his poem, Sesshū too has passed away,
天末残涯春夢驚their loss disturbs the landscape and my dreams.
永正丁印上巳前一日 Eishō 4, third month, second day
大明皇華前南褝 了庵八十三載書于雲谷寓舎by Ryōan, imperial envoy to the Ming, formerly of Nanzen-ji, aged 83, at the Unkoku-an
History
The landscape was known in the seventeenth century, when it was copied by
Kanō Tan'yū
was a Japanese painter of the Kanō school. One of the foremost Kanō painters, many of the best known Kanō works today are by Tan'yū.
Biography
His original given name was Morinobu; he was the eldest son of Kanō Takanobu and grandson ...
. Subsequently disappearing from the record, it turned up in a "curio dealer's shop" in
Kyoto in 1906. Sold for ten thousand
yen, it was later acquired by
Magosaburō Ōhara
was a Japanese businessman and philanthropist. He was born in Kurashiki, Okayama. He studied at Waseda University but left Waseda before graduation. Later he became the most influential person in Kansai business community.
Founded
He founde ...
for the sum of 160,000 yen. It remains today in the private collection of the Ōhara Family.
See also
*
List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings)
*
Ohara Museum of Art
The in Kurashiki was the first collection of Western art to be permanently exhibited in Japan. The museum opened in 1930 and originally consisted almost entirely of French paintings and sculptures of the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection h ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Landscape by Sesshu (Ohara Collection)
Japanese paintings
National Treasures of Japan
Landscape paintings