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Spring Colors of the Lake and Mountains

late 1930s

Japanese, 1879-1948

A panoramic vista of Mount Mikami (known as "Omi Fuji") over Lake Biwa, seen from Tochu-toge (or Tochu Pass) on the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, this work is thought to reflect Kakuy?'s personal experience of observing the memorable site. Departing from the traditional "Eight Views of Lake Biwa," related to eight waka poems, the early twentieth-century artist captures a sense of real topography with a fresh perspective. He became interested in painting nature in the 1930s, around the time this work was completed, and traveled throughout Japan with his art master Yamamoto Shunkyo.

Kakuyû painted views of misty mountain valleys and snow-covered peaks based on alpine explorations with his teacher Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1936). However, Kakuyû sometimes created radiant scenes like this one of Lake Biwa, filled with the bright, open atmosphere of a spring day. Three figures holding staffs wander down a hillside path toward a ridge to admire the vista. This landscape may depict the view from Shunkyo's villa in this area northeast of Kyoto, which Kakuyû often visited.

Ink, pale gold wash, gofun and colors on silk

74 1/8 x 22 1/16 in. (188.3 x 56cm)

Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2010.41.70

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum "Journeys in Landscape: Modern Art in Japan", November 26, 2004 - January 30, 2006

Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 232, illus. 66.

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