Birth of Prince Shotoku

Pale colors and delicate brushes are used to depict the birth of Prince Shotoku. For four years from 1939 to 1942, Insho worked on paintings for the tower walls and pillars of Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka, known to have been founded by Prince Shotoku. The completed paintings, however, were burned in air raids during the war. It is said that this loss motivated Insho to take up the theme of this work and adopt certain motifs in the painting. The downcast eyes of the persons seem to speak of the painter's feelings. This painting was completed immediately before Insho began constantly changing his style.