Tsukigase

1880s

Japanese, 1826 - 1897

Long a subject of praise in both poetry and painting, Tsukigase near the ancient capital of Nara is known for plum blossom viewing and for its dramatic landscape of steep cliffs forming a narrow river gorge. Chikudô accentuated the monumentality of the far cliff by juxtaposing it with diminutive figures and buildings. The landscape nearly fills the picture, leaving only a glimpse of sky at the top. The vigorously applied white dots and rugged dark strokes convey an image of plum trees clinging to the mountainside.

Ink and light colors on silk

77 5/8 x 22 7/8 in. (197.2 x 58.1 cm)

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

2010.41.5

Not currently on view

Resources

Published ReferencesMichiyo, Morioka; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 81-82, illus. 8.

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