Landscape
This freely-executed ink landscape painting, rendered in soft, washy brush strokes and light wash to produce a misty, moisture-laden atmosphere, depicts a hillside sloping towards a body of water and a small figure walking along a path in the direction of a distant stand of trees. Several willows grow near the water’s edge, on a low promontory. Two boats are visible along the grassy shoreline, one of which is being poled away from shore by a solitary boatman.
Sōami was one of the most important artists of late fifteenth–early sixteenth century Japan. One of the three influential “Ami school” painters—the other two were Nōami (1397–1471) and Geiami (1431–1485)—he served as art connoisseur and consultant to the Ashikaga shoguns and was familiar with the works of art they imported from China. His own painting style was inspired by the soft, misty brush technique associated with the Song-dynasty Chinese Chan (Zen) monk-painter Muqi Fachang (active ca. 1250–80), whose works were highly prized and widely collected in medieval Japan.
Sōami was one of the most important artists of late fifteenth–early sixteenth century Japan. One of the three influential “Ami school” painters—the other two were Nōami (1397–1471) and Geiami (1431–1485)—he served as art connoisseur and consultant to the Ashikaga shoguns and was familiar with the works of art they imported from China. His own painting style was inspired by the soft, misty brush technique associated with the Song-dynasty Chinese Chan (Zen) monk-painter Muqi Fachang (active ca. 1250–80), whose works were highly prized and widely collected in medieval Japan.
Artwork Details
- 相阿弥筆 山水図
- Title: Landscape
- Artist: Attributed to Sōami (Japanese, died 1525)
- Period: Muromachi period (1392–1573)
- Date: 15th–early 16th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 13 3/8 × 18 3/16 in. (34 × 46.2 cm)
Overall with mounting: 45 3/4 × 22 3/4 in. (116.2 × 57.8 cm)
Overall with knobs: 45 3/4 × 24 13/16 in. (116.2 × 63 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2018
- Object Number: 2018.853.7
- 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.
Sōami
17th century
Sōami
17th century
Sōami
early 16th century
Shikibu Terutada
mid-16th century
Uto Gyoshi
mid- to late 16th century
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.