Japanese four seasons
We would like you to feel and enjoy the Japanese four seasons through the collection of the Museum of Art, Ehime.
The Museum of Art, Ehime
© The Museum of Art, Ehime
Spring
Japanese people are familiar with cherry blossoms as a symbol of spring. It is the national flower of Japan.
Blossoming Tree by Seiho TakeuchiThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Seiho Takeuchi, Blossoming Trees, c.1905
Seiho Takeuchi was interested in European artists, especially Turner and Corot. He created a new style by applying Western forms of realism to traditional Kyoto painting. He was awarded France’s Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur in 1930 and Japan’s Order of Culture in 1937.
Spring Sea 01 (1928) by Shunkyo YamamotoThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Shunkyo Yamamoto, Spring Sea 01, 1928
A calm spring sea, lush green pine trees. Shunkyo Yamamoto was good at painting pine trees, roses, rocks and waves.
Spring Sea 02 (1928) by Shunkyo YamamotoThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Shunkyo Yamamoto, Spring Sea 02, 1928
This pair of screens was painted for an imperial coming-of-age ceremony.
Summer
Summer light flakes falling from the sky.
Tree and Falling Shine (1915) by Masamu YanaseThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Masamu Yanase, Tree and Falling Shine, 1915
Masamu Yanase's early works were often influenced by Van Gogh and Cézanne. He is a painter and a cartoonist born in Ehime prefecture.
In the Shade of Willows 01 (1921) by Bakusen TsuchidaThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Bakusen Tsuchida, In the Shade of Willows 01, 1921
A black-crowned night heron is resting under the cool shade of willows.
In the Shade of Willows 02 (1921) by Bakusen TsuchidaThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Bakusen Tsuchida, In the Shade of Willows 02, 1921
This refreshing pair of screens was painted by Bakusen Tuchida at summer just before departure for Europe in 1921.
Autumn
The ears of rice shone in gold. Autumn has come.
Hanging Rice, from a pair of hanging scrolls ‘Butterbur Scape and Hanging Rice’ (1924) by Hyakusui HirafukuThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Hyakusui Hirafuku, Hanging Rice, 1924
Hyakusui Hirafuku developped his style based on naturalism. His pseudonym “Hyakusui” means many ears of grain.
Winter
Cold and dark winter.
Snow Melting in a Garden (1918) by Kagaku MurakamiThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Kagaku Murakami, Snow Melting in a Garden, 1918
When the snows begin to melt, spring is near. Kagaku Murakami painted peace and calm pieces full of spirituality.
Early Spring
Plum blossoms are often featured in traditional poems and paintings, as they are thought to be signs of the close of winter and beginning of spring.
Plum Blossoming Hermitage (1855) by Bunrin ShiokawaThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Bunrin Shiokawa, Plum Blossoming Hermitage, 1855
Bunrin Shiokawa received the patronage of imperial family and Tokugawa Shogun family.
Butterbur Scape, from a pair of hanging scrolls ‘Butterbur Scape and Hanging Rice’ (1924) by Hyakusui HirafukuThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Hyakusui Hirafuku, Butterbur Scape, 1924
Japanese butterbur scapes are picked up and tasted in early spring. Edible wild plant is unique in Washoku（traditional Japanese cuisine） which is UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Mt. Fuji in Early Spring (1938) by Masamu YanaseThe Museum of Art, Ehime
Masamu Yanase, Mt. Fuji in Early Spring, 1938
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and is renowned worldwide as a symbol of Japan. It is showing its peaceful face in this piece painted by Masamu Yanase in February.
We would like you to feel and enjoy the Japanese four seasons through the collection of the Museum of Art, Ehime.
©The Museum of Art, Ehime
