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Birds and flowers of the four seasons

Attributed to Sesshu

Birds and flowers of the four seasons exhibition

Birds and flowers of the four seasons

High-resolution facsimiles

Material
printed on washi paper
Period of creation
The Joint-research Project with CPCP 2020
Collection
Tokyo National Museum

Original

Cultural property designation
Important Cultural Property
Artist
Attributed to Sesshu
Historical era
Muromachi (15th century)
Material
ink, color on washi paper
Medium
Pair of six-fold screens
Size
Each screen H151.0 × W351.8 cm
Collection
Tokyo National Museum

Description

Scenes from spring to winter are depicted across the screens from right to left, while a variety of birds flit through the landscape. This painting is distinguished by the sense of vigor and vitality exuded by the birds. Take the crane as it cries out with head held high, for example, or the duck swooping down from the sky. These are drawn almost to scale and with a sense of solidity. They appear to be right there before the viewer. The secret to this immediacy lies in the way the background is depicted. Take a look at the left-hand screen. A series of overlapping hills is painted to the left, while water from the distant mountains has gradually developed into a gentle flow and reached the foreground at the bottom right. By infusing the background with a sense of depth, this landscape painting technique imbues the birds with a striking sense of presence. The vegetation, thick with branches and leaves, also emits a strong life force. The depiction of birds amid this complex, interweaving landscape is a characteristic feature of Sesshu's bird and flower paintings. If you look closely, you can see birds hidden in the most unexpected places. It is now time for a quiz. How many birds are depicted in this painting? Answer: There are 8 birds on the right screen and 5 birds on the left.

— Cited from Colbase

How the Works Are Created

How the Works Are Created

This section introduces the production process of high resolution facsimiles by combining Canon’s latest imaging technology and the authentic craftsmanship of Kyoto in the Tsuzuri Project.

About the Tsuzuri Project

About the Tsuzuri Project

This section shares the significance and passion behind the Tsuzuri Project and how we utilize the high resolution facsimiles of precious cultural assets, which are designated as national treasures and important cultural assets, and Japanese artworks that have left Japan.