November 5, 2021
High-Resolution Facsimile of National Treasure ”The Wind and Thunder Gods” Donated to Kennin-ji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture
On November 5, 2021, a high-resolution facsimile of the National Treasure “The Wind and Thunder Gods” that was produced in Stage 14 of the Tsuzuri Project was donated to Kennin-ji Temple, which is the main temple of the Rinzai Sect in Kyoto Prefecture.
The National Treasure “The Wind and Thunder Gods” acquired by Kennin-ji Temple is considered to be a masterpiece by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a patriarch of the Rimpa school, and is a cultural asset that represents Japan. To protect this work of art, the original is currently entrusted to the Kyoto National Museum, and opportunities for its public viewing are limited.
Reproduction work of this piece of art was also performed during Stage 4 of the Tsuzuri Project; in Stage 14, however, the latest technology that had evolved over the 10 years since Stage 4 was used to newly produce a high-resolution facsimile that depicts the original cultural asset even more faithfully. To reproduce it, the original cultural asset was photographed using the high-performance, full-sized mirrorless lens camera “EOS R5”, and high-resolution data with total pixels of approximately 4.2 billion pixels was obtained. By fusing Canon’s latest digital imaging technology with the master craftsmanship of traditional Kyoto artisans, the original work is reproduced faithfully, down to the details such as the dark clouds formed by shades of ink against a gold background, pigment particles and fine lines.
The donated high-resolution facsimile is exhibited at Kennin-ji Temple, where visitors can view it at any time (separate admission fee required).



