Cherry-Blossom and Maple-Leaf Viewing

Outings to enjoy blossoming cherry trees and the brilliant colors of autumn maples have been among Japan’s most cherished seasonal activities since ancient times. This pair of screens celebrates these elegant picnics, where food, drink, poetry, and seasonal appreciation converge. In the spring scene, aristocratic women arrive by carriage, their long hair and layered silk robes evoking an earlier courtly age, while other guests—including women in boldly patterned kosode—wear contemporary dress. Picnic utensils, such as sake vessels, serving trays, writing boxes, and portable dining equipment, underscore the refinement of these outdoor gatherings. A noblewoman composes a poem as attendants relax and enjoy sake; women and children gather edible spring herbs. The autumn screen similarly depicts nobles, warriors, merchants, and monks celebrating beneath colorful maple leaves. Long tobacco pipes, introduced to Japan in the late sixteenth century, further evoke the leisurely atmosphere.