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Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter

Kano school

Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter exhibition

Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter

High-resolution facsimiles

Material
printed, sprinkled gold on washi paper
Period of creation
Tsuzuri Project Stage 11 2017–2018
Recipient
Tanzan Shrine

Original

Artist
Kano school
Historical era
Edo (17th century)
Material
ink, color, and sprinkled gold on washi paper
Medium
Four sliding doors
Size
Each door H173.5 × W141.0 cm
Collection
British Museum

Description

On four broad sliding-door panels sprinkled with ornamental gold and silver dust as well as finely cut foil, birds and flowers full of vitality are richly drawn. On the left side, there are wild geese playing by maple trees in their autumn colors and hibiscus mutabilis. The right side depicts Japanese cypresses and white camellias enveloped in snow and ducks resting near the water, expressing a shift in the seasons from autumn to winter. It is thought that there was originally a sliding door showing the spring and summer, forming a painting of birds and flowers of the four seasons.This work is said to have been handed down from a schoolmaster‘s mansion that was once located at the Tanzan Shrine (formerly Tonomine-Myorakuji Temple), which was famous as a site for talks on the Taika Reform, and its brilliance is reminiscent of the prosperity of those times. From the style of this painting, it is thought that the artist was Kano Takanobu (1571–1618), the second son of Kano Eitoku, although this is not definite and further research is necessary in the future. In any case, there is no doubt that Birds and Flowers of Autumn and Winter is an extremely important work as a large painting of birds and flowers from the early part of the Edo period.

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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.