Panoramic Landscape of the Yangzi River in China

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Maker(s)
Artist: Shugetsu Tokan (died ca. 1510)
Historical period(s)
Muromachi period, 1392-1568
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 21.4 × 589.1 cm (8 7/16 × 231 15/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1970.29
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Handscroll

Keywords
Japan, landscape, Muromachi period (1333 - 1573), river, water
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

This handscroll of scenery along the Yangzi River is one of two known paintings by Shugetsu that record actual sites in China. The other, in a Japanese collection, is dated 1496; possibly the artist was in China at that time and painted this handscroll during that journey. Written above each site in this pictorial record of the artist's travels is the name of the place. More than other paintings of China by Japanese artists, who rarely had an opportunity to travel there, this painting seems to document actual locations visited by the artist, though the depictions probably contain idealized scenery as well. Shugetsu was a disciple of Sesshu, and is said to have accompanied his master to China.

Published References
  • Julia Murray. A Decade of Discovery: Selected Acquisitions 1970-1980. Exh. cat. Washington, 1979. cat. 48, p. 63.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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