Exhibitions

The aesthetics of Rinpa: exploring the fine beauty of nature

2020.11.13(Fri) - 2020.12.13(Sun)

Overview

The Rinpa – an artistic trend originally stirred up by the 17th-century artists Hon’ami Kōetsu and Tawaraya Sōtatu – grew into an established style of decorative art during the early 18th century by Ogata Kōrin, his brother Kenzan and other artists aspiring in the same trend. Though Rinpa was not a school of art that was preserved through lineage, later artists such as Sakai Hōitsu, out of their admiration of the style, paid homage to Rinpa arts in their work.

The Exhibition explores the unique perspective through which the artists of Rinpa captured beauty represented in the natural world. Many works of art come in the form of craftwork, such as writing utensils, kimonos, fans, inros, and pottery, as well as fine arts. Major attractions of the Exhibition include “Calligraphy of Poems from the ‘Shin-Kokin Wakashu’ on Paper Decorated with Deer” (paper design by Tawaraya Sōtatu; calligraphy by Hon’ami Kōetsu), “The Empress Akikonomu” (Ogata Kōrin), and the Twelve Square Dishes with designs of seasonal motifs (Ogata Kenzan, Registered Important Cultural Properties).