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Essays in Idleness (Tsurezure-gusa)

Notable Works

Paintings

Essays in Idleness (Tsurezure-gusa)

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Artist: Kaiho Yusetsu( 1598 - 1677 )
Number of components: Set of 20 handscrolls
Format and materials: Ink on color
Dimensions (in cm): Vol. 1: L. 32.1, W. 1228.2/ Vol. 2: L. 31.8, W. 1466.0/ Vol. 3: L. 32.2, W. 1327.7/ Vol. 4: L. 32.1, W. 1363.7/ Vol. 5: L. 32.1, W. 1193.4/ Vol. 6: L. 32.1, W. 1300.4/ Vol. 7: L. 32.2, W. 1246.7/ Vol. 8: L. 32.1, W. 1123.9/ Vol. 9: L. 32.0, W. 1391.0/ Vol. 10: L. 32.1, W. 1202.6/ Vol. 11: L. 32.1, W. 1206.8/ Vol. 12: L. 32.1, W. 1382.1/ Vol. 13: L. 32.2, W. 1202.4/ Vol. 14: L. 32.0, W. 1053.1/ Vol. 15: L. 32.2, W. 1045.8/ Vol. 16: L. 32.2, W. 1259.5/ Vol. 17: L. 31.9, W. 1197.4/ Vol. 18: L. 32.2, W. 1201.8/ Vol. 19: L. 31.9, W. 1145.5/ Vol. 20: L. 31.8 × 1165.5
Date of production: Edo period 17th century

This is the only existing major picture scroll with explanatory notes for the whole text and illustrations for all chapters of the Tsurezuregusa (Essays in Idleness) written by the monk Kenkō. The esthetics of Kenkō are symbolically expressed in soft hues by Yūsetsu, the son of Kaihō Yūshō. Illustrations of the Tsurezuregusa, which was written in the Kamakura period, began to appear in the Edo period. The annotated and illustrated edition of the Nagusamigusa published around 1652 (Keian 5) is traditionally regarded as the first Tsurezure-e (Essays in Idleness painting). However, the chapter divisions in this picture scroll are consistent with an earlier printed book making it a valuable scroll that predates the publication of the Nagusamigusa.

Notable Works

Essays in Idleness (Tsurezure-gusa)

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART