Dewdrops

Sunset muskmallow is native to China and bears light yellow flowers in summer. It is also called “Tororo aoi” because the root produces Tororolike mucus when it is soaked in water; therefore, the plant was regarded indispensable for sticking fibers together when making Japanese paper. Though it is not known whether Gyoshu thought of the connection, this work is painted on paper rather than silk. The large flowers showing striking contrast of yellow and purple open in the morning. They wilt in the evening of the same day, however a number of flower buds are swelling on the upright stem and fruits are growing after flowers. The one which has just wilted is painted with a faint glow as if it is a sacred flower. There is a black swallowtail butterfly that lives off morning dew and honey from flowers. According to an anecdote, Gyoshu initially painted the sunset muskmallow only, however he felt something was missing in the composition and was inspired by the butterfly which his pupil was copying from a work of Maruyama Okyo. As a result, Gyoshu converted the work into the scene where sunset muskmallow and a butterfly have a momentary meeting in only an early morning in summer. The fact he named the work “Rojun” demonstrates his intelligent creativity.