DATA

Artist:

Ogata Korin

Historical era:

Edo (17th to 18th century)

Material:

printed, gold on washi paper

Medium:

Pair of six-fold screens

Theme:

High Resolution Facsimile of Japanese Art Abroad

Size:

Each screen H166.0 × W371.0 cm

Recipient:

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)MAP

[Original]

Current owner:

The Freer Gallery of Art of the Smithsonian Institution

Material:

ink, color and gold on washi paper

DESCRIPTION

This bold composition presents a grouping of black and white cranes extending to the left and right across a gold background. It is the work of Ogata Korin, a painter representative of the Edo period who created his own world with innovative compositions and graceful depictions. The 19 cranes in this work, grouped in a rhythmic arrangement, are walking in a stylized manner toward the center of the folding screen. Stylized swirling waves at both ends of the screen create a unique sense of space. Korin was born to the family who operated the wealthy drapery store "Kariganeya" in Kyoto, where he began painting full-time in his 40s. Korin represented the Rimpa School, with its rich decorative style that flourished during the Edo Period. In later years, Sakai Hoitsu and Suzuki Kiitsu drew with a similar sense of composition and demonstrated the flow of the Rimpa School.