Red and White Plum Blossoms Screen

It is well known that Korin, a great admirer of Sōtatsu, developed his own unique style while being inspired by his work. This style is exemplified by the theme of red and white plum blossoms accompanied by flowing water, and the composition of the two-panel screen, which combines the two panels. However, the composition—hiding most of the trunk of the white plum tree off the canvas, filling the entire canvas with the red plum blossoms, creating a subtle contrast between the two, and placing the flowing water in the center, creating a delicate, flaring surface—can be considered original. The unlined depiction of the plum blossoms, later beloved as Korin plums, the arrangement of the buds, the drooping of the trunk, and the unparalleled, masterful water ripples—combine to give the painting a profound sense of rhythm and a stylish decorative quality. This is why this screen is considered the culmination of Korin's artistic career. The right panel bears the signature "Seisho Korin" and the left panel "Hokkyo Korin," and each has a red circular seal with the name "Hoshuku." These are thought to be works from Korin's later years and have been passed down through the Tsugaru family.
In 2011, a scientific investigation was carried out using a digital microscope, a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer, and a portable X-ray powder analyzer. The results confirmed that gold leaf was used for the gold background that covers the entire screen. Furthermore, silver remained all over the area where the water flows, and silver sulfide was detected in the black areas, suggesting that the silver leaf was sulfurized with sulfur to turn it black.

*Exhibited every year around February