The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897.The definition and the criteria have changed since the inception of the term. These paintings adhere to the current definition, and were designated national treasures when the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties was implemented on June 9, 1951. As such, they are restricted in transfer and may not be exported. Owners are required to announce any changes to the National Treasures such as damage or loss and need to obtain a permit for changes in location, transfer of ownership or intended repairs. The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on their "especially high historical or artistic value".[1] This list contains 166 paintings from 7th-century Asuka period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period. In fact the number of paintings presented is more than 166, because in some cases groups of related paintings are combined to form a single entry. The paintings listed show Buddhist themes, landscapes, portraits and court scenes. Some of the paintings were imported directly from China. The titles of the works are descriptive rather than the artists' titles; therefore it is possible to find alternate names in the literature for a given work.
Beginning in the mid-6th century, as Buddhism was brought to Japan from Baekje, religious art was introduced from the mainland. The earliest religious paintings in Japan were copied using mainland styles and techniques, and are similar to the art of the Chinese Sui dynasty (581–618) or the late Sixteen Kingdoms around the early 5th century. They comprise the oldest extant non-primitive paintings in Japan. By the mid-Nara period (ca. 750) Japanese paintings showed influences of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907) and in the 9th century early Heian period evolved into the Kara-e genre. Wall murals in the Takamatsuzuka Tomb, the Kitora Tomb and the Portrait of Kichijōten at Yakushi-ji exemplify the Kara-e style. Generally, Nara period paintings show religious subjects, and the artists are unknown. During that period, sculptures rather than paintings were more prevalent.
Mandalas became predominant in the paintings of the early Heian period as esoteric Buddhism emerged with the Shingon and Tendai sects in the 8th and 9th centuries. The evolution of Pure Land Buddhism caused raigō-zu to be developed as a genre, characterised by depictions of the Amida welcoming the souls of the faithful to his Western Paradise as seen in a 1053 painting in the Phoenix-Hall of Byōdō-in. By the mid-Heian period, Chinese style kara-e painting was replaced with the classical Japanese yamato-e style, in which the images were painted primarily on sliding screens and byōbu folding screens. At the close of the Heian period around 1185, the practice of adorning emakimono hand scrolls with yamato-e paintings flourished. Examples of illustrated hand scrolls include novels such as Genji Monogatari Emaki, historical writings like The Tale of Great Minister Ban, or religious works such as the Scroll of Hungry Ghosts. These genres continued to be produced into the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333. As during the Nara period, sculpture remained the preferred art form of the period.
Influenced by the Chinese Song and Yuan dynasties, Japanese monochrome ink painting called suibokuga largely replaced polychrome scroll paintings. By the end of the 14th century, monochrome landscape paintings (sansuiga) became the preferred genre for Zen painters, evolving to a unique Japanese style from the Chinese origin. Shūbun, who created Reading in a Bamboo Grove (1446), and his student Sesshū, author of Landscape of the Four Seasons, are the most well known priest-painters of the period. As with most of the early Japanese paintings, these works were created for Buddhist temples. At the end of the Muromachi period around 1573, ink painting had migrated out of the Zen monasteries, and was practised by artists from the Kanō school.
In contrast to the previous period, the paintings of the Momoyama period were characterised by a grandiose polychrome style with extensive use of gold and silver foil. Large scale paintings were commissioned to adorn the castles and palaces of the military rulers. The Kanō school, patronized by the ruling class, was the most influential school of the period and, with 300 years of dominance, endured for the longest period in the history of Japanese painting.The trends of large polychrome paintings continued into the Edo period (1603–1868). The Rinpa school, best represented by Tawaraya Sōtatsu and Ogata Kōrin, used vibrant colors to depict classical themes from Japanese literature and Heian period poetry. In the 18th century, paintings of Yuan dynasty scholar-amateur painters were brought to Japan and imitated, giving rise to the Nanga or Bunjinga style of painting. Two of the most prominent painters of this school were Ike no Taiga and Yosa Buson.
The 166 entries in the list consist of the following: 92 are hanging scrolls; 40 are hand scrolls or emakimono; 24 are byōbu folding screens or paintings on fusuma sliding doors; five are murals; and three are albums. Two items, the portrait of Kichijōten and Illustrated Biography of Prince Shōtoku do not fall in any of these categories. The paintings are located in museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, private collections, a university and two are located in tombs (Takamatsuzuka Tomb and Kitora Tomb). A large proportion of items are housed in the national museums of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The city containing the greatest number of National Treasure paintings is Kyoto with 51 and Tokyo with 51 of which 28 are located in the Tokyo National Museum which is the structure housing the most painting National Treasures.
Period | National Treasures | |
---|---|---|
Tang dynasty | 1[2] | |
Asuka period | 1 | |
Nara period | 5 | |
Heian period | 52 | |
Northern Song | 3 | |
Southern Song | 17 | |
Kamakura period | 43 | |
Nanboku-chō period | 3 | |
Yuan dynasty | 6 | |
Muromachi period | 15 | |
Momoyama period | 7 | |
Edo period | 17 |
An overview of what is included in the table and the manner of sorting is as follows: the columns (with the exceptions of Remarks and Pictures) are sortable by pressing the arrows symbols.
Name | Author | Remarks | Date | Format | Present location | Image | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heian period | hanging scrolls (mandalas), gold paint on indigo blue paper, 139.7cmx54.8cmcm (55inchesx21.6inchescm) | TenChūson-ji, Hiraizumi, Iwate | |||||
Kanō Eitoku | Momoyama period, not later than 1574 | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, 160.5cmx364.5cmcm (63.2inchesx143.5inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionYonezawa City Uesugi Museum, Yonezawa, Yamagata | ||||
[3] | Kamakura period, 1309 | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on silk, width: 40cm-41.5cmcm (20inches-16.3inchescm), length: 767.3cm-1306.6cmcm (302.1inches-514.4inchescm) | 20Museum of the Imperial Collections, Tokyo | ||||
Kamakura period, second half of 13th century | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on paper, 39.8cm×2351.8cmcm (15.7inches×925.9inchescm) and 39.8cm×2013.4cmcm (15.7inches×792.7inchescm) | TwoMuseum of the Imperial Collections, Tokyo | |||||
Kanō Eitoku | Momoyama period, 16th century | folding screen (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, 223.6cmx451.8cmcm (88inchesx177.9inchescm) | A six-sectionMuseum of the Imperial Collections, Tokyo | ||||
Itō Jakuchū | Edo period, ca. 1757--1766 | hanging scrolls, color on silk, width: 78.9cm-80.1cmcm (31.1inches-31.5inchescm), height: 141.8cm-143.4cmcm (55.8inches-56.5inchescm) | Set of 30Museum of the Imperial Collections, Tokyo | ||||
Originally on fixed doors at Hōryū-ji, later during the Edo period on freestanding screens and in recent times remounted on panels | Heian period, 1069 | Ten panels (five pairs), color on figured silk, 189.2–190.5 cm x 137.2–148.2 cm (74.5–75 in x 54–58.3 in) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Watanabe Kazan | Edo period, 1837 | Hanging scroll, light color on silk, 115.1cmx57.1cmcm (45.3inchesx22.5inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Also known as | Kamakura period, 1299 | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on silk, 37.8cmx802cmcm (14.9inchesx316inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Formerly owned by Mitsui Gomei Co. | Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 132cmx84.4cmcm (52inchesx33.2inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Formerly owned by the Hara family. | Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 147.9cmx98.9cmcm (58.2inchesx38.9inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Li Di | Southern Song dynasty, 1197 | hanging scrolls, color on silk, each 25.2cmx25.5cmcm (09.9inchesx10inchescm) | Set of twoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Formerly owned by the Shōjuraigō-ji temple. | Heian period, 11th century | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 95.9–97.2 cm x 57.8–52.2 cm (37.8–38.3 cm x 22.8–20.6 cm) | Set of 16Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Formerly owned by the Kawasaki family. | Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 138cmx69.4cmcm (54inchesx27.3inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
[4] [5] | Iwasa Katsumochi (Matabei) | Known as Funaki version after the Funaki family in whose possession it was handed down | Edo period, 17th century | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, each 162.2cmx341.8cmcm (63.9inchesx134.6inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||
Emperor Huizong of Song | Northern Song dynasty, 1108 or 1109 | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 28.5cmx26.1cmcm (11.2inchesx10.3inchescm) | Tokyo | private,||||
Kamakura period, 13th–14th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 160.7cmx58.8cmcm (63.3inchesx23.1inchescm) | Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo | |||||
Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 159.1cmx74.5cmcm (62.6inchesx29.3inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||||
Attributed to | Southern Song dynasty | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 23.6cmx25.5cmcm (09.3inchesx10inchescm) | Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art, Tokyo | ||||
Attributed to Li An-Zhong | Marked with the zakkeshitsu-in seal found on Chinese paintings imported to Japan by the Ashikaga | Southern Song dynasty, 12th–13th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 24.4cmx27.8cmcm (09.6inchesx10.9inchescm) | Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo | |||
(I) (II) purportedly by Liang Kai (III) | Liang Kai | "III" was cut later to make the three paintings into a triad likely during the time of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Passed down from the Ashikaga shogunate as part of the Higashiyama Treasure. Marked with the zakkeshitsu-in seal found on Chinese paintings imported to Japan by the Ashikaga. Originally designated as three distinct National Treasures, they came to be designated as a single National Treasure in 2007. | Southern Song dynasty, 13th century | hanging scrolls, ink and light color on silk, 110.3cmx49.7cmcm (43.4inchesx19.6inchescm) (I), 110.8cmx50.1cmcm (43.6inchesx19.7inchescm) (II), 117.6cmx52cmcm (46.3inchesx20inchescm) (III) | ThreeTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||
Ma Yuan | Attributed toSouthern Song dynasty, 13th century | Hanging scroll, ink on silk, 111cmx55.8cmcm (44inchesx22inchescm) | Seikadō Bunko Art Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Ogata Kōrin | Formerly held by the Nishi Honganji, Kyoto. | Edo period, c. 1705 | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, each 150.9cmx338.8cmcm (59.4inchesx133.4inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionNezu Art Museum, Tokyo | |||
Tawaraya Sōtatsu | Edo period | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, each 152.3cmx355.6cmcm (60inchesx140inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionSeikadō Bunko Art Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Kanō Eitoku | Momoyama period | folding screen (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, 170cmx461cmcm (70inchesx181inchescm) | Eight-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Ike no Taiga | Edo period, 18th century | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, 168cmx372cmcm (66inchesx146inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Fujiwara Nobuzane | attributed toKamakura period, 1247 | Hand scroll (emakimono), light color on paper, 28.7cmx237.5cmcm (11.3inchesx93.5inchescm) | Okura Museum of Art, Tokyo | ||||
Maruyama Ōkyo | Edo period, 1773 | folding screens (byōbu), light color on paper, 155.5cmx362cmcm (61.2inchesx143inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionMitsui Memorial Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Kusumi Morikage | Edo period, 17th century | folding screen (byōbu), light color on paper, 149.7cmx166.2cmcm (58.9inchesx65.4inchescm) | A two-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Kanō Naganobu | The two middle sections of the right screen were destroyed by fire in the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. | Momoyama period, 17th century | folding screens (byōbu), color on paper, 148.8cmx357.7cmcm (58.6inchesx140.8inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||
Heian period, 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.9cmx380.2cmcm (10.6inchesx149.7inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||||
Nara period, second half of 8th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.5cm×1100.5cmcm (10.4inches×433.3inchescm) | The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo | |||||
Kanō Hideyori | Muromachi period, 16th century | folding screen (byōbu), color on paper, 150.2cmx365.5cmcm (59.1inchesx143.9inchescm) | A six-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
or The Tale of Genji Scroll | Oldest surviving monogatari scroll and oldest non-Buddhist scroll covering chapters 38, 39 and 40 of the novel. | Heian period, early 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono) cut into four illustrations and nine pages of text, color on paper, 21.8 cm x (23.4–48.3) cm (8.6 in x (9.2–19) in) | Gotoh Museum, Tokyo | |||
Fujiwara Nobuzane (illustrations) and Kujō Yoshitsune (calligraphy) | attributed toKamakura period, 13th century | Hand scroll (emakimono) cut into three illustrations and three pages of text, color on paper, 21.0 cm x (46.4–51.9) cm (8.3 in x (18.3–20.4) in) | Gotoh Museum, Tokyo | ||||
volume 8 | Heian period, 12th century | Fan paper in folding book form, 22 pages, color on paper, length 25.5 cm, length of upper chord 26.2 cm | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Kamakura period, late 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.9cmx249.3cmcm (10.6inchesx98.1inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||||
Tokiwa Mitsunaga of the Tosa school | Kamakura period, late 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 30.4cmx828.1cmcm (12inchesx326inchescm) | Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo | ||||
or, Vol. of the | attributed to Sumiyoshi Keion | Kamakura period, 13th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 42.2cmx952.9cmcm (16.6inchesx375.2inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||
Muqi Fachang | attributed toThe scene depicted is one of the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. | Southern Song dynasty | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 32.3cmx103.6cmcm (12.7inchesx40.8inchescm) | Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art, Tokyo | |||
Kaō Ninga | Nanboku-chō period, 14th century | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 85.8cmx32.5cmcm (33.8inchesx12.8inchescm) | private collection, Tokyo | ||||
Muqi Fachang | attributed toThe scene depicted is one of the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. | Southern Song dynasty, 13th century | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 33cmx112.6cmcm (13inchesx44.3inchescm) | Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo | |||
or | Sesshū Tōyō | With inscriptions by the artist and six poet-monks from Gozan Zen temples in Kyoto | Muromachi period, 1495 | Hanging scroll, splashed ink (hatsuboku) on paper, 148.6cmx32.7cmcm (58.5inchesx12.9inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||
Sesshū Tōyō | Muromachi period, 15th century | hanging scrolls, ink on paper, 47.8cmx30.2cmcm (18.8inchesx11.9inchescm) | TwoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
also known as the | Hasegawa Tōhaku | Momoyama period, 16th century | folding screens (byōbu), ink on paper, each 156.8cmx356cmcm (61.7inchesx140inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionTokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||
(Yintuoluo) with inscriptions by Chushi Fanqi | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Hand scroll, ink on paper, 35cmx49.5cmcm (14inchesx19.5inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
(Yintuoluo) | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Hand scroll, ink on paper, 35cmx36.8cmcm (14inchesx14.5inchescm) | Ishibashi Museum of Art, Kurume, Fukuoka | ||||
(Yintuoluo) | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Hand scroll, ink on paper, 35.3cmx45.1cmcm (13.9inchesx17.8inchescm) | Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art, Tokyo | ||||
(Yintuoluo) | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Hand scroll, ink on paper, 35.3cmx48.3cmcm (13.9inchesx19inchescm) | Seikadō Bunko Art Museum, Tokyo | ||||
(Yintuoluo) | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Hand scroll, ink on paper, 35.6cmx48.5cmcm (14inchesx19.1inchescm) | Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Kanō Masanobu | Muromachi period, 15th century | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 84.5cmx33cmcm (33.3inchesx13inchescm) | Kyushu National Museum, Dazaifu, Fukuoka | ||||
Tenshō Shūbun, inscription by Jikuun Tōren and other priests | attributed toMuromachi period, 1446 | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 136.7cmx33.7cmcm (53.8inchesx13.3inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | ||||
Zhiweng | Southern Song dynasty, 13th century | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 93cmx36.4cmcm (37inchesx14.3inchescm) | Gotoh Museum), Tokyo | (||||
Southern Song dynasty, 12th century | Scroll, ink on paper, 30.3cmx400.4cmcm (11.9inchesx157.6inchescm) | Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo | |||||
Sutra scroll decorated with line under drawings. This work is the first volume of the four volume Konkōmyōkyō Sutra. Volume 3, a National Treasure, is also preserved complete while volumes 2 and 4 only exist in fragments. | Kamakura period, 1193 | Scroll, hakubyō-style (白描) on paper, 25cmx450.5cmcm (10inchesx177.4inchescm) | Gotoh Museum), Tokyo | (||||
Lanxi Daolong. | Inscription on the upper part of the scroll is by the subject of the portrait,Kamakura period, 1271 | Hanging scroll, light color on silk, 104.8cmx46.4cmcm (41.3inchesx18.3inchescm) | Kamakura Museum of National Treasures, Kamakura, Kanagawa. Owned by Kenchō-ji, Kamakura, Kanagawa | ||||
Kamakura period, 1299 | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on silk, twelve scrolls, 38.2cmx922.8cmcm (15inchesx363.3inchescm) (#3), 38.2cmx1094.8cmcm (15inchesx431inchescm) (#5) | Shōjōkō-ji, Fujisawa, Kanagawa | |||||
Four portraits of members of the Hōjō clan. | Kamakura period | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 74cmx53.1cmcm (29inchesx20.9inchescm) | FourYokohama, Kanagawa | ,||||
and or Album of the Ten Expediencies and the Ten Merits | Ike no Taiga and Yosa Buson | Edo period, 1771 | Album composed of 10 paintings by Buson and 10 paintings by Taiga, light color on paper, 17.7cmx17.7cmcm (07inchesx07inchescm) | Kamakura, Kanagawa | ,|||
Kamakura period | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on paper, 51.5cmx796.7cmcm (20.3inchesx313.7inchescm) and 51.5cmx689.8cmcm (20.3inchesx271.6inchescm) | TwoKamakura Museum of National Treasures, Kamakura, Kanagawa. Owner: Kōmyō-ji, Kamakura, Kanagawa | |||||
Uragami Gyokudō | Edo period, early 19th century | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 133.3cmx56.6cmcm (52.5inchesx22.3inchescm) | Kamakura, Kanagawa | ,||||
attributed to Hu Zhifu | Southern Song dynasty, 13th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 118.5cmx52.7cmcm (46.7inchesx20.7inchescm) | Kuon-ji, Minobu, Yamanashi | ||||
Lanxi Daolong (Rankei Dōryū) | inscription byKamakura period, 1260s | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 123.3cmx61.2cmcm (48.5inchesx24.1inchescm) | Kogaku-ji, Kōshū, Yamanashi | ||||
[6] [7] | Heian period, October 10, 1088 (Trailokavijaya), June 1, 1090 (Kuṇḍali) | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 140.8cmx88cmcm (55.4inchesx35inchescm) (Daiitoku) and 138cmx88cmcm (54inchesx35inchescm) (Fudō Myōō, Gosanze, Gundari, Ucchusma) | FiveNara National Museum, Nara, Nara. Owned by Kiburi-ji, Ōno, Gifu | ||||
Ogata Kōrin | Edo period, 18th century | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper, each 156cmx172.2cmcm (61inchesx67.8inchescm) | One pair of two-sectionMOA Museum of Art, Atami, Shizuoka. | ||||
or The Tale of Genji Scroll | Heian period, early 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono) with 15 illustrations and 38 pages of text, color on paper | Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya, Aichi | ||||
Sesshū Tōyō | Muromachi period, 1496 | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 199.9cm×113.6cmcm (78.7inches×44.7inchescm) | Tokoname, Aichi | ,||||
Heian period | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 178.2cm×72.1cmcm (70.2inches×28.4inchescm) | Mii-dera, Ōtsu, Shiga | |||||
Kamakura period, 13th century | scrolls, color on silk, 155.6cmx68.8cmcm (61.3inchesx27.1inchescm) | 15Ōtsu, Shiga | ,|||||
or | Formerly held by the Ii family | Edo period, first half of 17th century | folding screen (byōbu), color on paper with gold leaf background, 94.5cmx278.8cmcm (37.2inchesx109.8inchescm) | Six-sectionHikone Castle Museum, Hikone, Shiga | |||
unknown | Brought to Japan from China by Enchin. | Heian period (incomplete scroll); late Tang dynasty, 9th century (complete scroll) | hand scrolls with iconographic line drawings, one complete and one with part of the first half missing, ink on paper, 30cmx1796cmcm (10inchesx707inchescm) | TwoMii-dera, Ōtsu, Shiga | |||
(Rapid Descent) | Kamakura period, 13th–14th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 145.1cmx154.5cmcm (57.1inchesx60.8inchescm) | Chion-in, Kyoto | ||||
Kamakura period | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 193.9cmx126.2cmcm (76.3inchesx49.7inchescm) | FiveDaigo-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Heian period | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 153cmx128.8cmcm (60inchesx50.7inchescm) | FiveTō-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Northern Song dynasty, 11th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 167.1cmx102.6cmcm (65.8inchesx40.4inchescm) | Ninna-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Kamakura period, 13th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 120.6cmx80.3cmcm (47.5inchesx31.6inchescm) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | |||||
Kamakura period, 13th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 138cmx118cmcm (54inchesx46inchescm) | Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Kamakura period, 13th century | earlyfolding screen (byōbu), color on silk, 110.8cmx37.5cmcm (43.6inchesx14.8inchescm) | Six-sectionJingo-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Only extant screen painting from the Heian period. Formerly at Tō-ji | Heian period, 11th century | folding screen (byōbu), color on silk, 146.4cmx42.7cmcm (57.6inchesx16.8inchescm) | Six-sectionKyoto National Museum, Kyoto | ||||
Heian period, 11th century | lateHanging scroll, color on silk, 160cmx229.5cmcm (60inchesx90.4inchescm) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | |||||
or | Heian period, 12th century | lateHanging scroll, color on silk, 159.4cmx85.5cmcm (62.8inchesx33.7inchescm) | Jingo-ji, Kyoto | ||||
Emperor Huizong of Song | attributed toSouthern Song dynasty, 12th century | hanging scrolls, color on silk, each 128.2cmx55.2cmcm (50.5inchesx21.7inchescm) | TwoKonchi-in, Kyoto | ||||
attributed to | Southern Song dynasty, late 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 97.5cmx50.6cmcm (38.4inchesx19.9inchescm) | Sen-oku Hakuko Kan, Kyoto | ||||
Formerly owned by Tō-ji. | Heian period, 1127 | latehanging scrolls, color on silk, each 144cmx127cmcm (57inchesx50inchescm) | TwelveKyoto National Museum, Kyoto | ||||
attributed to | Heian period, 1191 | latefolding screens (byōbu), color on paper, each 130cmx42.1cmcm (50inchesx16.6inchescm) | Pair of six-sectionTō-ji, Kyoto | ||||
Northern Song dynasty, 12th century | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 82.1cmx36.4cmcm (32.3inchesx14.3inchescm) (Pindolabaradvāja) | 16Seiryō-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Nanboku-chō period, 1334 | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 115.5cmx56.5cmcm (45.5inchesx22.2inchescm) | Daitoku-ji, Kyoto | |||||
said to be those of,, | Fujiwara Takanobu | attributed toKamakura period, 13th century | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 143cmx112.8cmcm (56inchesx44.4inchescm) (Yoritomo), 143cmx111.2cmcm (56inchesx43.8inchescm) (Shigemori) and 143cmx111.6cmcm (56inchesx43.9inchescm) (Mitsuyoshi) | ThreeJingo-ji, Kyoto | |||
Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 168.2cmx80.3cmcm (66.2inchesx31.6inchescm) | Manshu-in, Kyoto | |||||
Heian period, mid 11th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 203.3cmx148.5cmcm (80inchesx58.5inchescm) | Shōren-in, Kyoto | |||||
Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 139.4cmx67cmcm (54.9inchesx26inchescm) | Maizuru, Kyoto | ,|||||
[8] | Kamakura period, end of 12th century | earlyHanging scroll, color on silk, 193.1cmx128.8cmcm (76inchesx50.7inchescm) | Kōzan-ji, Kyoto | ||||
Kamakura period | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 143cmx106.4cmcm (56inchesx41.9inchescm) | Daigo-ji, Kyoto | |||||
unknown | Wuzhun Shifan (1177–1249) (alt reading: Mujun Shihan, ch: Wuqun Shifan) was a Chinese zen priest. | Southern Song dynasty, 1238 | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 124.8cmx55.2cmcm (49.1inchesx21.7inchescm) | Tōfuku-ji, Kyoto | |||
Kamakura period, 13th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 145cmx59cmcm (57inchesx23inchescm) | Kōzan-ji, Kyoto | |||||
or | Heian period, 9th century | hanging scrolls (mandalas), color on silk, 185.1cmx164.3cmcm (72.9inchesx64.7inchescm) (Garbhadhātu) and 187.1cmx164.3cmcm (73.7inchesx64.7inchescm) (Vajradhātu) | TwoTō-ji, Kyoto | ||||
inscriptions attributed to Kūkai and possibly Emperor Saga | Five portraits were brought back by Kūkai from his trip to Tang dynasty China in 805. Two portraits (of and) were added later, in 821, in Japan. | Tang dynasty and Heian period | hanging scrolls, color on silk | SevenTō-ji, Kyoto | |||
Kamakura period | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 124.3cmx77.9cmcm (48.9inchesx30.7inchescm) | Daigo-ji, Kyoto | |||||
Kamakura period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 129.1cmx65.4cmcm (50.8inchesx25.7inchescm) | Daigo-ji, Kyoto | |||||
(Li Tang) | Southern Song dynasty | hanging scrolls, ink on silk, 98.1cmx43.4cmcm (38.6inchesx17.1inchescm) | TwoKōtō-in, Kyoto | ||||
Muqi Fachang | Southern Song dynasty, 13th century | hanging scrolls, ink and light color on silk, 172.4cmx98.8cmcm (67.9inchesx38.9inchescm) (Kannon), 173.9cmx98.8cmcm (68.5inchesx38.9inchescm) (monkeys and crane, each) | ThreeDaitoku-ji, Kyoto | ||||
The paintings covered every interior surface of the first floor of the pagoda. About half of the original paintings remain. They are located on pillars, window shutters, doors, wainscoting and so on. Motifs include deities from the Mandala of the Two Realms and portraits of seven of the eight Shingon patriarchs (is missing). | Heian period, 951 | Paintings, 18 panels, ink, color and gold on wood | pagoda, Daigo-ji, Kyoto | first floor of five-storied||||
Hasegawa Tōhaku | Momoyama period | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, 226.2cmx165.7cmcm (89.1inchesx65.2inchescm) each | One pair of two-sectionChishaku-in, Kyoto | ||||
Pictures on room partitions: (a), (b), (c), (d) | Hasegawa Tōhaku and his son | attributed toChishaku-in. (a) four paintings on alcove and two paintings on wall, (b) nine paintings on wall and two paintings on fusuma, (c) four paintings on fusuma, (d) four paintings on alcove. | Paintings on walls and sliding doors of the ofMomoyama period | Paintings, ink and color on paper with gold leaf background | Chishaku-in, Kyoto | ||
Tawaraya Sōtatsu | Replicated in works by Sakai Hōitsu and Ogata Kōrin. | Edo period, 17th century | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, each 169.8cmx154.5cmcm (66.9inchesx60.8inchescm) | One pair of two-sectionKennin-ji, Kyoto | |||
Nanboku-chō period, 1338 | Hanging scroll, color on paper, 31.2cmx97.3cmcm (12.3inchesx38.3inchescm) | Kyoto | Chōfuku-ji,|||||
or | Kamakura period, 13th century | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on paper, each width: 31.5 cm (12.5 in), lengths of vol. 1/2/3/4/5/6: 1583.0/1219.0/154.5/1420.0/1531.0/865.0 cm (623.2/479.9/60.8/559.1/602.8/340.6 in) | SixKōzan-ji, Kyoto | ||||
Heian period, late 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.8cmx538.4cmcm (10.6inchesx212inchescm) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | |||||
Nara period, 8th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.4cmx1036.4cmcm (10.4inchesx408inchescm) | Kyoto | ,|||||
Nara period, 8th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.4cmx1536.4cmcm (10.4inchesx604.9inchescm) | Daigo-ji, Kyoto | Hōon-in,|||||
Heian period, 12th century | lateHand scroll (emakimono) cut into 10 sections, color on paper, (25.9–26.0) cm x (25.3–49.3) cm (10.2 in x (10–19.4) in) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | |||||
Kamakura period, 14th century | Hand scroll (emakimono),, 48 volumes, color on paper, ca. 33cmx1100cmcm (13inchesx400inchescm) | Chion-in, Kyoto | |||||
Biography and catalogue of miracles performed by Sugawara no Michizane, the founder of Kitano Tenman-gū. | Kamakura period, 1219 | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on paper, 52.2 cm x (842–1211) cm (20.6 in x (331–477) in) | Eight largeKitano Tenman-gū, Kyoto | ||||
or Cottage by a mountain stream | attributed to with inscriptions by Taihaku Shingen and other priests | Muromachi period, 1413 | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 101.5cmx34.5cmcm (40inchesx13.6inchescm) | Konchi-in, Kyoto | |||
or Mirror portrait | Standing portrait of the founder of the Jodo Shinshu school of Pure Land Buddhism. | Kamakura period, possibly the last year of Shinran's life | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 35.2cmx33cmcm (13.9inchesx13inchescm) (painting only) | Nishi Honganji, Kyoto | |||
Sesshū Tōyō | Bird's eye view of Amanohashidate. | Muromachi period, 1501–1506 | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 90cmx178.2cmcm (40inchesx70.2inchescm) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | |||
Josetsu | Commissioned by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimochi. On the top of the scroll there is an inscription by and 30 other priests. | 1413Muromachi period, 1413 | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 111.5cmx75.8cmcm (43.9inchesx29.8inchescm) | Taizō-in (Myōshin-ji), Kyoto | |||
or | Toba Sōjō | maybeCredited as the oldest work of manga. | Heian period and Kamakura period, mid 12th century (1st and 2nd scroll), 13th century (3rd and 4th scroll) | hand scrolls (emakimono), ink on paper, up to 30cmx1100cmcm (10inchesx400inchescm) | FourKyoto National Museum and Tokyo National Museum, owned by Kōzan-ji, Kyoto | ||
Tawaraya Sōtatsu | Edo period, early 17th century | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 116cmx50cmcm (46inchesx20inchescm) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | ||||
or | Oldest extant example of a Mandala of the Two Worlds in Japan, believed to be a faithful copy of the mandalas that Kūkai brought from Japan | Heian period, 829–833 | hanging scrolls (mandalas), gold and silver on dark bluish purple damask, 411cmx366.5cmcm (162inchesx144.3inchescm) (Diamond Realm Mandala), 446.4cmx406.3cmcm (175.7inchesx160inchescm) (Womb Realm Mandala) | TwoJingo-ji, Kyoto | |||
vol. 3 | Sutra scroll decorated with line under drawings possibly showing the Tale of Genji or "Parting at dawn" (Ariake no wakare). Together with the Rishukyō sutra (National Treasure) this work is part of the four volume Konkōmyōkyō Sutra. Volumes 2 and 4 only exist in fragments. | Kamakura period, 1192 | Hand scroll, color on paper, hakubyō-style (白描), 25cmx827cmcm (10inchesx326inchescm) | Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto | |||
(a), (b), (c), (d) | Kanō Eitoku and his father | Muromachi period, 16th century | fusuma and wall panels of the at Jukō-in, sub-temple of Daitoku-ji. (a) 16 panels on fusuma in, ink on paper (b) eight panels on fusuma in, ink and light color on paper (c) eight panels on fusuma in, ink on paper (d) two panels on wall, four panels on fusuma in, ink on paper | 38 paintings onKyoto | Jukō-in (Daitoku-ji),|||
[9] | Marked with Fuetsu's seal on each of the three parts | Southern Song dynasty | hanging scrolls, colors on silk; Amida: 125.5cmx48.5cmcm (49.4inchesx19.1inchescm), Kannon: 127.5cmx48.8cmcm (50.2inchesx19.2inchescm), Seishi: 127.2cmx48.5cmcm (50.1inchesx19.1inchescm), | ThreeKyoto National Museum, Kyoto. Owner: Shōjōke-in, Kyoto | |||
(a), (b), (c) | Heian period, 1053 | 14 paintings, color on wood: (a) eight former door paintings and three murals, (b) two door paintings, (c) one painting on the wall behind the principal image of Buddha | Byōdō-in), Uji, Kyoto | Phoenix Hall (||||
(a), (b) | attributed to | Heian period, 1136 | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 177.8cmx141.8cmcm (70inchesx55.8inchescm) | TwoFujita Art Museum, Osaka | |||
Fujiwara Takaaki | Kamakura period, 12th century | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on paper, 40.3 cm x (1200–1920) cm (15.9 in x (472.4–755.9) in) | TwelveFujita Art Museum, Osaka | ||||
[10] [11] [12] | Muromachi period, mid-16th century | folding screens (byōbu), ink and color on paper with gold leaf background, 147cmx313.5cmcm (58inchesx123.4inchescm) | One pair of six-sectionKongō-ji, Kawachinagano, Osaka | ||||
Fujiwara Nobuzane | attributed toKamakura period, 1221 | Hanging scroll, color on paper, 40.3cmx30.6cmcm (15.9inchesx12inchescm) | Minase Shrine, Shimamoto, Osaka | ||||
unknown | Kamakura period, 13th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 21cmx434cmcm (08inchesx171inchescm) | Fujita Art Museum, Osaka | ||||
Heian period, 12th century | Fan paper in folding book form, 98 pages, color on paper, height: 25.6 cm (10.1 cm), width: 49.4 cm (19.4 cm) or 19.0 cm (7.5 cm) (along upper/lower arc) | Shitennō-ji, Osaka | |||||
At the top of the scroll there is a collection of poetry and prose by 18 zen priests. | Muromachi period, 1405 | Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 129.2cmx31cmcm (50.9inchesx12inchescm) | Fujita Art Museum, Osaka | ||||
Heian period | hanging scrolls, color on silk | TenIchijō-ji, Kasai, Hyōgo | |||||
Yosa Buson | Edo period, around 1778 | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 27.9cmx130cmcm (11inchesx50inchescm) | Kobe, Hyōgo | private,||||
Kamakura period, 12th–13th century | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 186cmx146.3cmcm (73inchesx57.6inchescm) (Amida), 182.3cmx173.2cmcm (71.8inchesx68.2inchescm) (Kannon and Seishi), 182.5cmx55.2cmcm (71.9inchesx21.7inchescm) (boy attendant) | ThreeHokke-ji, Nara, Nara | |||||
or | Li Di | Southern Song dynasty, second half of 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 24.2cmx23.8cmcm (09.5inchesx09.4inchescm) | Yamato Bunkakan, Nara, Nara | |||
Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 164.5cmx177cmcm (64.8inchesx70inchescm) | Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara | |||||
Heian period, 11th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 161.2cmx129.2cmcm (63.5inchesx50.9inchescm) | Yakushi-ji, Nara, Nara | |||||
Handed down in Hokki-ji | Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 168.8cmx89.6cmcm (66.5inchesx35.3inchescm) | Nara National Museum, Nara, Nara | ||||
Heian period | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 160cmx134.5cmcm (60inchesx53inchescm) | TwelveSaidai-ji, Nara, Nara | |||||
[13] [14] | Depicted are the Four Symbols on the corresponding walls of the burial chamber, animals of the Chinese zodiac beneath them and an astronomical chart on the ceiling. | Asuka period, 7th or early 8th century | fresco paintings, color, 112.1cmx203.7cmcm (44.1inchesx80.2inchescm) (Azure Dragon, East), 112.8cmx204.2cmcm (44.4inchesx80.4inchescm) (White Tiger, West), 95.7cmx72.8cmcm (37.7inchesx28.7inchescm) (Vermilion Bird, South),112.2cmx105.7cmcm (44.2inchesx41.6inchescm) (Black Tortoise, North), 105.8cmx169.3cmcm (41.7inchesx66.7inchescm) (ceiling) | FiveKitora Tomb, Asuka, Nara | |||
Nara period | fresco paintings, color | FourTakamatsuzuka Tomb, Asuka, Nara | |||||
or | Also known as or and originally kept at, Takatori. According to tradition,, who restored Kojimadera, received the mandalas from Emperor Ichijō during the Chōhō era (999–1004). | Heian period, early 11th century | hanging scrolls, gold and silver paint on dark blue silk, 349.1cmx307.9cmcm (137.4inchesx121.2inchescm) (Womb Realm mandala) and 351.3cmx297cmcm (138.3inchesx117inchescm) (Diamond Realm mandala) | TwoNara National Museum, Nara, Nara | |||
or | Edo period, c. 1650 | folding screens (byōbu), color on paper with gold leaf background, 155.6cmx361.6cmcm (61.3inchesx142.4inchescm) | Pair of six-sectionYamato Bunkakan, Nara, Nara | ||||
Heian period, 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 29.8cmx1287cmcm (11.7inchesx507inchescm) | Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara | |||||
Heian period, early 12th century | hand scrolls (emakimono), color on paper, 31.5cmx827cmcm (12.4inchesx326inchescm), 31.25cmx1270.3cmcm (12.3inchesx500.1inchescm) (exorcism of the emperor), 31.5cmx1416cmcm (12.4inchesx557inchescm) (story of the Nun) | ThreeChōgosonshi-ji, Heguri, Nara | |||||
Heian period, early 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26cmx533cmcm (10inchesx210inchescm) | Yamato Bunkakan, Nara, Nara | |||||
Kamakura period, 12th century | Hand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 26.5cmx454.7cmcm (10.4inchesx179inchescm) | Nara National Museum, Nara, Nara | |||||
Heian period, 12th century | hanging scrolls, color on paper, 25.8–26.0 cm x 39.2–77.2 cm (10.2 cm x 15.4–30.4 cm) | FiveNara National Museum, Nara, Nara | |||||
or | Tenshō Shūbun, inscriptions by Kosei Ryuha, Shinchi Mintoku and Shinden Seiha | attributed toMuromachi period, 1445 | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper, 108cmx32.7cmcm (43inchesx12.9inchescm) | Nara National Museum, Nara, Nara | |||
Currently located in the middle of three bays on the wall behind the chief object of worship in the kondō (main hall) of the temple, but might not have always been located there. As the temple was previously a Shinto/Buddhist temple associated with the dragon god, there is a possibility this painting was originally intended as a dragon god mandala, or a mandala of praying for rain. | Heian period, 9th century | mural, colors on wood | WallMurō-ji, Uda, Nara | ||||
Nara period | Colors on hemp, 53cmx31.7cmcm (21inchesx12.5inchescm) | Yakushi-ji, Nara, Nara | |||||
Kamakura period | Hanging scroll, colors on silk, 154cmx135cmcm (61inchesx53inchescm) | Reihōkan, Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | |||||
Depicts Amida, surrounded by Buddhist saints playing musical instruments, come to greet the spirits of the deceased to escort them to the Pure Land. | Heian-Kamakura period | hanging scrolls, colors on silk, triptych | ThreeReihōkan), Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | (in custody at||||
The inscription on the top tells of a wooden sculpture of Gonsō being created after his death by his pupils praying for happiness in the next world and praising Gonsō's learning and virtue. | Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, colors on silk, 166.4cmx136.4cmcm (65.5inchesx53.7inchescm) | Reihōkan), Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | (in custody at||||
Originally five scrolls of which two were destroyed in fire in 1888., and remain. | Heian period | hanging scrolls, color on silk, 322.8cmx179.5cmcm (127.1inchesx70.7inchescm) (Kongōku), 237.6cmx179.5cmcm (93.5inchesx70.7inchescm) (Ryūōku), 179.5cmx179.5cmcm (70.7inchesx70.7inchescm) (Muijūrikiku) | ThreeReihōkan), Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | (in custody at||||
Heian period, 1145 | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 163.6cmx111.2cmcm (64.4inchesx43.8inchescm) | Reihōkan, (owned by Kongōbu-ji,) Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | |||||
Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 79.4cmx41.8cmcm (31.3inchesx16.5inchescm) | Reihōkan), Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | (in custody at|||||
Heian period, 1086 | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 267.6cmx271.2cmcm (105.4inchesx106.8inchescm) | Reihōkan, Kongōbu-ji, Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | |||||
Ike no Taiga | Edo period, 18th century | fusuma, color on paper | Ten paintings onReihōkan, (owned by Kongōbu-ji), Mt. Kōya, Wakayama | ||||
Kamakura period, 12th century | earlyHand scroll (emakimono), color on paper, 30.8cmx1984.2cmcm (12.1inchesx781.2inchescm) | Kinokawa, Wakayama | ,|||||
[15] | Heian period, 12th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 102.4cmx52.1cmcm (40.3inchesx20.5inchescm) | Chizu, Tottori | ,||||
or | Yuan dynasty, 14th century | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 86.1cmx29.9cmcm (33.9inchesx11.8inchescm) | Kurashiki, Okayama | private,||||
Sesshū Tōyō | Muromachi period | Hanging scroll, ink and light color on paper | Kurashiki, Okayama | private,||||
Heian period, 1153 | Hanging scroll, color on silk, 149.3cmx86.6cmcm (58.8inchesx34.1inchescm) | Jikō-ji, Onomichi, Hiroshima | |||||
Taira no Kiyomori and 32 members of the Taira clan | 30 scrolls of the Lotus Sutra, one Amitabha Sutra scroll, one Heart Sutra scroll and one prayer scroll in the handwriting of Taira no Kiyomori dedicated to the Itsukushima Shrine. | Heian period, 1164 | sūtra hand scrolls with illustrations, ink on decorated paper, 25.4cmx537.9cmcm (10inchesx211.8inchescm) (Hōben-bon), 27.2cmx767.4cmcm (10.7inchesx302.1inchescm) (Hiyu-bon), 24.9cmx270.7cmcm (09.8inchesx106.6inchescm) (Hōshi-bon), 26.5cmx266.8cmcm (10.4inchesx105inchescm) (Juryō-bon) | 33Itsukushima Shrine, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima | |||
Sesshū Tōyō | Muromachi period, 1486 | Hand scroll, ink and light color on paper, 37cmx159cmcm (15inchesx63inchescm) | Mōri Museum, Hōfu, Yamaguchi |