DATA

Artist:

Kaiho Yusho

Historical era:

Azuchi-Momoyama (16th century)

Material:

printed on washi paper

Medium:

Four sliding doors

Theme:

High Resolution Facsimile of Historical Cultural Assets

Size:

The west side four sliding doors: each H198.0 × W187.0 cm
The north side four sliding doors: each H186.0 × W133.0 cm

Recipient:

Kenninji TempleMAP

Period of creation:

The work of the second period: the west side four sliding doors of the Rai-no-ma room
The work of the forth period: the north side four sliding doors of the Rai-no-ma room

[Original]

Current owner:

Kenninji Temple

Material:

ink on washi paper

DESCRIPTION

When it comes to prominent painters during the Momoyama era, Kano school painters Eitoku and Sanraku quickly come to mind. However, it was Kaiho Yusho that would make a name for himself and leave a tremendous impact on the history of modern door and screen painting. The 50 panels painted inside the abbot's chamber at Kenninji became a lifetime monumental work for Yusho, and for the art. Eight of these panels focus on the dragon and clouds. Dragon and clouds were painted often, as were tigers, during the Muromachi era. Over the span of this panoramic screen, the dragon occupies an affirmative position. Contrasting techniques are employed in this work. The clouds are painted using only varying shades of gray, with no outlines. More liberal strokes are used to render the dragon. Yusho's skilled artistry expresses the weight of the picture's significance -- dragons are revered with deity for their legendary elusiveness from fire and calamities.