Japanese

The Japanese collection contains more than 2,000 works of art from the 7th century C.E. to the early 20th century.

Screens and Scrolls

The strength of the collection lies in its folding paper screens from the 16th to early 20th century. Paramount among the screens is the sublime pair Pine and Plum by Moonlight by Kaihō Yūshō and the elegant River Landscape with Fireflies by Shiokawa Bunrin. Hanging scrolls and illustrations supplement the collection: Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s Illustration from Tale of Ise and Ikeno Taiga’s Impressive View of the Go River show the breadth and versatility of the Rimpa and Nanga school masters.

Woodblock Prints

A portfolio of more than 500 color woodblock prints of the Edo period contains examples of all the famous ukiyoe masters, including Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.

Ceramics and Sculpture

An impressive array of ceramics is dominated by the spectacular 16th-century Echizen Water Jar whose monumentality is complemented by the bold natural ash glaze. Completely different in terms of scale and embellishment are the subtle tea bowls favored for the tea ceremony and a selection of Kutani and Nabeshima porcelains.

Sculpture features primarily Buddhist images in wood from the Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods, while textiles include 18th and 19th century Nō robes and priests’ kesa.

Shiokawa Bunrin, Japanese (1808-1877). <em>River Landscape with Fireflies</em>, 1874.
Shiokawa Bunrin, Japanese (1808-1877). River Landscape with Fireflies, 1874.
One of a pair of six-fold screens: ink with slight color and gold paint on paper, 68 x 148 1/2 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 74-12/2.
Shiokawa Bunrin, Japanese (1808-1877). <em>River Landscape with Fireflies</em>, 1874.
Shiokawa Bunrin, Japanese (1808-1877). River Landscape with Fireflies, 1874.
One of a pair of six-fold screens: ink with slight color and gold paint on paper, 68 x 148 1/2 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 74-12/1.
Izuka Tōyō, Japanese (active 1760-1780). <em>Tiered Writing Box</em>, ca. 1775,
Izuka Tōyō, Japanese (active 1760-1780). Tiered Writing Box, ca. 1775,
Edo period (1615-1868). Lacquered wood with gold and silver inlays, 8 1/2 x 13 3/4 x 8 1/4 inches. Purchase: the David T. Beals III Fund, F78-23 A-F.
<em>Striding Lion: Mount for the Buddhist Deity Monju</em>, Mid-13th century. Japanese.
Striding Lion: Mount for the Buddhist Deity Monju, Mid-13th century. Japanese.
Wood with traces of paint and crystal inlays, 26 3/8 x 34 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 77-51.
Tawaraya Sôtatsu, Japanese (active ca. 1600-1640). <em>Illustration from “Tale of Ise</em>,” ca. 1634, Edo period (1615-1868).
Tawaraya Sôtatsu, Japanese (active ca. 1600-1640). Illustration from “Tale of Ise,” ca. 1634, Edo period (1615-1868).
Album leaf mounted as hanging scroll: ink, color, and gold paint on paper, Image: 9 5/8 x 8 1/4 inches, Mount: 55 x 17 3/8 inches. Gift of Mrs. George H. Bunting Jr., 74-37.
<em>Jizo Bosatsu</em>, 9th-10th century C.E. Japanese.
Jizo Bosatsu, 9th-10th century C.E. Japanese.
Wood, 39 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 31-141/2.
Ikeno Taiga, Japanese (1723-1776). <em>Impressive View of the Go River</em>, 1769.
Ikeno Taiga, Japanese (1723-1776). Impressive View of the Go River, 1769.
Hanging scroll: ink on paper, Image: 4 feet 3 1/8 inches x 22 3/8 inches. Mount: 6 feet 7 1/2 inches x 28 1/2 inches. Gift of William L. Evans Jr., 79-6.
<em>Tea Bowl</em>, Japan, late 16th-early 17th century, Momoyama period (1568-1615).
Tea Bowl, Japan, late 16th-early 17th century, Momoyama period (1568-1615).
Karatsu ware; glazed stoneware, overall: 3 x 5 1/2 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 32-62/6.
Manufacturer: Echizen Kiln, Japanese (14th-16th century). <em>Water Jar</em>, 16th century.
Manufacturer: Echizen Kiln, Japanese (14th-16th century). Water Jar, 16th century.
Echizen ware (stoneware with natural ash glaze), h x diam: 28 1/2 x 29 inches. Purchase: the Edith Ehrman Memorial Fund, F92-32.
<em>Footed Dish</em>, Nabeshima Ware Porcelains, Japan, late 17th–18th century, Edo period (1615–1868).
Footed Dish, Nabeshima Ware Porcelains, Japan, late 17th–18th century, Edo period (1615–1868).
2 1/8 x 7 7/8 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 63-6.
Kaihô Yûshô, Japanese (1533-1615). <em>Pine and Plum by Moonlight</em>, Momoyama Period (1568-1615).
Kaihô Yûshô, Japanese (1533-1615). Pine and Plum by Moonlight, Momoyama Period (1568-1615).
One of a pair of six-fold screens: ink and slight color on paper, 5 feet 6 1/2 inches x 11 feet 7 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 58-25/1.
Kaihô Yûshô, Japanese (1533-1615). <em>Pine and Plum by Moonlight</em>, Momoyama Period (1568-1615).
Kaihô Yûshô, Japanese (1533-1615). Pine and Plum by Moonlight, Momoyama Period (1568-1615).
One of a pair of six-fold screens: ink and slight color on paper, 5 feet 6 1/2 inches x 11 feet 7 inches. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 58-25/2.