Musashino Plain

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Number of components: Pair of six-panel folding screens
Format and materials: Color on paper
Dimensions (in cm): L. 155.2, W. 362.6 (each)
Date of production: Edo period 17th century

Many poems have been composed about the Musashi Plain, including "Its destination: The skies, one with Musashi Plain, where from among the fields of grass emerges moonlight." (the Shin kokinshū). The Musashi Plain was also a popular theme depicted on folding screens at the start of early modern times. The folding screen is divided into three parts with golden clouds in the upper part. In the central area, silver grass (Japanese pampas grass), bush clover, chrysanthemum, chinese bellflowers, and other autumn plants have been painted directly onto the surface of the screen. The ground in the lower part is verdigris and the arrangement concludes with Mount Fuji and the full moon on the left and right halves respectively. Although the painting incorporates ideas that predate early modern times, the ornamental character is given priority over realism in the depiction of nature in this extremely lucid composition.

Notable Works

Musashino Plain

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART