DATA

Artist:

Tawaraya Sotatsu

Historical era:

Edo (17th century)

Material:

printed, gold on washi paper

Medium:

Pair of six-fold screens

Theme:

High Resolution Facsimile of Japanese Art Abroad

Size:

Each screen H152.0 × W355.7 cm

Recipient:

Shounji Temple (Daitokuji school, Rinzai sect)MAP

[Original]

Current owner:

The Freer Gallery of Art of the Smithsonian Institution

Material:

ink, color and gold on washi paper

DESCRIPTION

This work is by Tawaraya Sotatsu, founder of the Rimpa school. It is one of the six folding screens painted by Sotatsu still in existence. These screens are said to have been handed down to Shounji Temple in Sakai city, Osaka. Tani Shoan (1589 to 1644), a wealthy merchant, reputedly commissioned Sotatsu to make this painting, and later contributed it to the temple. The screens remained at Shounji until 1902, after which they became a part of the Charles Freer collection in the United States. This was sometime during the Meiji period. The right screen (shown below) shows sharp rocky reefs rendered in brilliant color, while the left screen shows pines growing on a sandy beach and a drifting cloud. Gold and ink are applied in layers to produce the dynamic effect of flowing waves.