Hasegawa Tōhaku

Hasegawa Tōhaku (1539–1610) is a representative painter of the Momoyama (1573–1615) and Edo (1603–1867) periods and the founder of the Hasegawa school. He broke new artistic ground with his unique ink paintings and gold and azure wall paintings. His masterpiece is the Pine Trees Folding Screen, a National Treasure considered by many as the pinnacle of Japanese ink painting.

shoin-zukuri

Shoin-zukuri was an evolution of an earlier architectural style known as shinden-zukuri, which was developed by aristocratic society during the Heian period (794-1185). Following the establishment of the shogunate in the Kamakura period, shinden-zukuri adapted to the life of the ruling samurai warriors, and it was particularly modified for the necessity of entertaining guests and ceremonies. It was also influenced by the architectural style of Zen Buddhism from China, and its unique style was gradually adopted for residential houses for military families as shoin-zukuri.

Ishida Yūtei

Ishida Yūtei (1721–1786) was a Kyoto painter active during the mid-Edo period (1603–1867). He was also the master of the painter Maruyama Okyo (1733–1795), who went on to found the Maruyama school of painting. Ishida learned Kanō-school techniques and incorporated elements of the Nanpin school and Yamato-e Japanese painting. His works feature gorgeous realistic landscape paintings dotted with birds, flowers, and people.

peacock and Japanese sago palm

mountain scene

willow tree across four seasons

kagami-ita panel

This was a flat plank laid beneath tatami mats to form a section of the floor structure.

upper level / middle level / lower level

kurumayose driveway

This was a space in front of an entryway with an overhang, allowing visitors traveling by carriage to get on and off safely and comfortably. Starting in the Heian period (794–1185), the structure was developed for noble family residences and Buddhist temples.

Spring Hall

This was a structure seen on residence halls in the Heian (794–1185) and Kamakura (1185–1333) periods. The structure was built to protrude outward into a garden with a pond, allowing patrons to bask in the cool breeze and enjoy the garden scenery.

Omote-Shoin, the Drawing Room

A shoin located at the front of a building.

Daigo flower-viewing banquet

This was an extravagant flower-viewing banquet held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) at Kyoto’s Daigoji Temple in 1598. He invited over 1,300 people, including his retainers, family, and court nobles. Hideyoshi prepared Daigoji Temple’s Sanbōin Garden especially for the occasion, transplanting over 700 cherry blossom trees. During the festivities, he even requested the women in attendance change their kimonos three times. The banquet was a display of Hideyoshi’s political power and cultural prowess, as well as a symbolic event that epitomized the culture of the Momoyama period (1573–1615).

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

A warlord in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. First, he served to Oda Nobunaga, and as soon as Nobunaga died due to the Honnoji Incident in 1582, he declared himself as the successor, defeated his enemies and unified the country. From 1583, Hideyoshi began the construction of Osaka Castle, the castle tower of which has a lavish five-story structure on the outside and an eight-story structure inside that was suitable for the supreme ruler. While he was called Hotaiko, luxurious Momoyama culture, including tea ceremonies and paintings of the Kano school, flourished.

honbō (priest’s quarters)

This is a building or room that served as a residence and administrative space for the head priest of a temple.

zasu (head priest)

Zasu is a title for a high-ranking or head priest at a Japanese Buddhist temple. It is a particularly important title among the Tendai, Shingon, and Kegon sects.

Shōgaku

Shōgaku (1057–1129) was a Shingon Buddhist priest active during the late Heian period (794–1185). He was the fourteenth head priest of Daigoji Temple, and he founded Sanbō-in Temple (then Kanjōin Temple) in 1115. He also served as senior priest of Tōji Temple and administrator of Tōdaiji Temple.

Heian period

The Heian period lasted for approximately 400 years between the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto) by Emperor Kanmu in 794 and the foundation of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1185. The period is often divided into three sections: the Early, Mid- and Late Heian periods. In other words, the period of reviving the political system based on Ritsuryo codes, the regency period and the Insei period (governed by a retired emperor), respectively. (The end of the Late Heian period was ruled by the Taira clan.) Also referred to as the period of the Heian imperial court.

Momoyama period

During the Momoyama period (1573–1603), the powerful generals Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) held central control over Japan. The name Momoyama comes from the Momoyama Hills, where Hideyoshi built Fushimi Castle.

karahafu undulating bargeboard

A unique style of roof with a gable that flows from the top center with gentle curves on each side.