Cherry, Plum and Willow Trees
Originally the right half of a pair, this screen depicts flowering trees and a budding willow that convey the joyous spirit of spring. It includes three large cherry trees near the center and a slender branch laden with plum blossoms that belongs to a tree originally depicted on the lost left screen. Large cherry and plum blossoms are raised in low relief using gofun (ground seashell pigment). A sinuous willow tree stands in the middle of the composition, with cascading young leaves in pale green. A cluster of small dandelions fills the lower left corner.
The slender and gently swaying tree trunks; the grouping of the trees in the center rather than to a side (as is usual in folding screens); and the soft curves of the scalloped edges of the gold clouds all point to an artist working close to Kano Mitsunobu (1565–1608), eldest son of the great Momoyama period master Eitoku (1543–1590).
The slender and gently swaying tree trunks; the grouping of the trees in the center rather than to a side (as is usual in folding screens); and the soft curves of the scalloped edges of the gold clouds all point to an artist working close to Kano Mitsunobu (1565–1608), eldest son of the great Momoyama period master Eitoku (1543–1590).
Artwork Details
- 桜梅柳図屏風
- Title: Cherry, Plum and Willow Trees
- Artist: Unidentified artist Japanese, 17th century
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: early 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Single six-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 60 3/8 in. × 11 ft. 5 9/16 in. (153.4 × 349.4 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2003
- Object Number: 2003.334
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
18th–19th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.