Uji River After Rain

late 1920's

Japanese, 1889 - 1964

The Uji River, which runs south of Kyoto, has been a popular painting subject since the Heian period (794-1185). Banka and Kôichiro both represent this traditional theme in bird's-eye perspective. They portray the same view of the winding river near the Byôdôin, a famous Buddhist temple, including just enough details, such as the stone pagoda on the small island, to identify the location.

Banka combined a blue-green color scheme derived from the ancient yamatoe tradition with brushwork inspired by more recent literati painting to express a sense of refreshed mountain air after rain. In contrast, Kôichiro employed the rich tonalities of ink to convey a similarly atmospheric effect. Variations in density of the ink washes show the gradual clearing of the mist, while the patches of fresh, dark ink suggest the more intense colors of the foliage.

Ink and colors on paper

78 7/8 x 16 3/4 in. (200.3 x 42.6cm)

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

2010.41.67

Photo: Eduardo Calderon

Not currently on view

Resources

Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 264, illus. 74.

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