Willows and the Uji Bridge

Beginning in the mid Muromachi period (1392-1575), a new tradition of painting emerged, mixing monochrome ink painting with brilliant colours and gold leaf. Its themes depicted landscapes, seasonal plants and flowers, urban scenes and episodes from battles and literary classics. Folding screens were the format privileged by this new tradition, bringing colour and gaiety to the interiors of residences and audience halls. The scale of these screens allowed for monumental images that could convey complex narratives.

Inspired by literature and classical poetry, the theme of the bridge over the Uji River, near Kyoto, was frequently portrayed on the screens of the Momoyama period (1573-1615) and made popular by the Hasegawa Tohaku school (1539-1610). This type of screen represents well the Momoyama decorative style.

Panoramic views of the city of Kyoto and its environs were another popular motif, especially during the first half of the 17th century. Depicting the capital’s major monuments and famous sites, encircled by golden clouds, these scenes first appeared at the beginning of the 16th century and were in great demand as souvenirs of the capital.