Exhibition Outlines

The Edo period, a span of approximately 250 years, was an era of active development in culture, which was cultivated with the participation of not only the ruling class, but also the common people. Among painters, there were many who formed schools which fascinated people with their original expression, other than the Court and retained artists such as the Tosa school and Kano school. However, the foundations within the awareness of the painters had always been the traditional designs that were handed down over time. Just how did they digest and develop these traditions, in terms of subject, motif and painting techniques?  In other words, the interesting matter in Edo period art is how the art of the Edo period developed supported by tradition.

This exhibition focuses on the literary, and flower and bird designs within art that are the most traditional, often seen among the Imperial collection. Scenes from stories such as Tale of Genji and Tale of Ise, which were adored by many, and pictures depicting waka poems such as scenes of famous places and beautiful flowers and birds, have been used from ancient times, also to decorate the interior of buildings such as the Imperial palace. In this exhibition, we will consider through paintings and craft objects, about how the tradition of these kinds of pictorial motifs were adopted and expressed during the Edo period. They are apt to be considered to lack evolving elements, but actually there were new works created among various pieces of paintings and crafts influencing each other. Traditional elements were selected to create new evolvements - This is the esthetic sense of the Edo period that we can reconsider today.

Kano Tanyu, Tawaraya Sotatsu, Tosa Mitsuoki, Ito Jakuchu, and Sakai Hoitsu - These painters were the ones who added their own original touch to create works which still fascinate us in the present day. Furthermore, unknown artists who created elegant and refined furniture with traditional designs invite us into a space of Japanese beauty. Through these beautiful and adorable pictorial designs, we hope you will be able to feel the esthetic sense of the Edo period.