Screen (byobu)

After reconstruction of the city of Kyoto, destroyed in the 15th century, in the early 16th century screens began to depict scenes of life in and around the imperial city. Following the line of the north-south axis, the screen shows the eastern half of the city, Higashiyama. Situated on the Higashi mountain ridge are the palaces, temples and shrines of the royal seat, harboring religious and courtly life. A second motif depicted along the Kamo river is that of the populace working at their daily tasks. Individual scenes and perspectives are separated by golden cloud banks, lending the painting a luxurious character.