Unknown Artist
Views in and around Kyoto (Rakuchu-Rakugai zu)
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Following a long period of strife and civil wars in the fifteenth century, the ancient political and cultural capital of Kyoto was restored to its earlier splendour in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This reconstruction is documented and lauded in screens such as these which, in their panoramic view, record with accuracy and detail the features of the city. Looking eastwards across the Kamo River towards the Higashimaya hills, the area beyond the river at the top of the screens is rakugai (without the city), while the area below is 'rakuchû' (within the city). The lower section of each screen illustrates the busy mercantile life of Kyoto, with the townspeople going about their business in stores and workshops. On the far left of the left screen is the Imperial Palace.
Art Gallery Handbook, 1999. pg. 271.
- Place of origin
-
Japan
- Period
- Japan: Edo (Tokugawa) period 1615–1868
- Year
- circa 1660
- Media
- Painting
- Medium
- pair of six-fold screens; colour and gold on paper
- Dimensions
- each screen: 125.0 x 369.8cm image; 137.0 x 381.8cm screen
:
a - River running across lower half of screen, Kiyomiz; 125 x 369.8cm; image
a - River running across lower half of screen, Kiyomiz; 137 x 381.8cm; screen
b - River running across upper half of screen, bridge ; 125 x 369.8cm; image
b - River running across upper half of screen, bridge ; 137 x 381.8cm; screen - Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased with funds provided by Mr Kenneth Myer 1980
- Accession number
- 7.1980.a-b
