DATA

Artist:

Kaiho Yusho

Historical era:

Azuchi-Momoyama (16th Century)

Material:

printed on washi paper

Medium:

Sixteen sliding doors

Theme:

High Resolution Facsimile of Historical Cultural Assets

Size:

4 panels : Each screen H187.0 × W159.5 cm
4 panels : Each screen H187.0 × W89.0 cm
8 panels : Each screen H197.0 × W187.0 cm

Recipient:

Kenninji TempleMAP

[Original]

Current owner:

Kenninji Temple

Material:

ink on washi paper

DESCRIPTION

Among a collection of 50 panels of the Abbot's Chambers at Kenninji Temple are 16 panels of images on sliding doors decorating an inner room. They were painted by Kaiho Yusho, who was involved in a revival of Kenninji Temple in the early modern era. The "Seven Sages in a Bamboo Grove" depicts the seven sages in a bamboo thicket drinking wine, playing music, and indulging in noble and refined discussion (which transcends this world), having escaped the national crisis of Wei Jin era (mid-3rd century) in China. It is believed they had been critical of politics driven by the Sima clan, who were in power at that time, and their Confucian morals (with restrictions on freedom of speech). This free-spirited behavior won great support in the ensuing years. Kaiho Yusho specialized in portraits of people wearing loose and baggy clothing that appears to billow in the wind; these were known as fukuro-e (bag) style paintings. The "Seven Sages in a Bamboo Grove" is typical of his work.