The Legend of Sesshu: Birth of a Master Painter
Kyoto National Museum
Until May 26
SHARE
Artists
Sesshū et al.
Sesshu (1420–1506?) is revered as perhaps the most important painter in the history of Japanese art, often hailed as a “saint of painting” (gasei). The fact that six of his works have been designated National Treasures testifies to the extraordinary recognition that this medieval artist has received in the modern era. Nevertheless, the veneration of Sesshu today is not based solely on contemporary assessments of his artworks; it is also rooted in a longstanding tradition of acclaim cultivated over centuries.
This exhibition delves into the evolving status of Sesshu by tracing how his works were received in early modern Japan from around the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries. During the Momoyama period (1573–1615), the Unkoku and Hasegawa schools proudly identified themselves as artistic successors of Sesshu. In the Edo period (1615–1868), artists of the preeminent Kano school considered Sesshu’s body of work as the cornerstone of their signature painting style. Sesshu’s artistic charisma inspired not only these major schools of Chinese-influenced ink painting (kanga) but also a diverse array of painters who went on to explore new aesthetic frontiers.
The reception of Sesshu itself is a complex phenomenon that can only be comprehended through multiple perspectives. This exhibition explores the myriad factors that, over time, elevated Sesshu to the highest echelons of the Japanese art world and solidified his status as a legendary master painter.
This exhibition delves into the evolving status of Sesshu by tracing how his works were received in early modern Japan from around the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries. During the Momoyama period (1573–1615), the Unkoku and Hasegawa schools proudly identified themselves as artistic successors of Sesshu. In the Edo period (1615–1868), artists of the preeminent Kano school considered Sesshu’s body of work as the cornerstone of their signature painting style. Sesshu’s artistic charisma inspired not only these major schools of Chinese-influenced ink painting (kanga) but also a diverse array of painters who went on to explore new aesthetic frontiers.
The reception of Sesshu itself is a complex phenomenon that can only be comprehended through multiple perspectives. This exhibition explores the myriad factors that, over time, elevated Sesshu to the highest echelons of the Japanese art world and solidified his status as a legendary master painter.
Schedule Now in session | Apr 13 (Sat) 2024-May 26 (Sun) 2024 8 days left Opening Hours Information
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Adults ¥1800; University Students ¥1200; High School Students ¥700; Junior High School Students and Under, Persons with Disability Certificates + 1 Companion free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/exhibitions/special/sesshu_2024/ | ||||
| Venue | Kyoto National Museum https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng | ||||
| Location | 527 Chayamachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 605-0931 | ||||
| Access | 7 minute walk from Shichijo Station on the Keihan line; From JR Kyoto Station take the #100, #206 or #208 bus and get off at Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae. The venue is 1 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 075-541-1151 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
Back to Articles
SHARE
No comments yet