Art: “Sōtatsu: Making Waves” exhibit in Washington, D.C.

The Sōtatsu: Making Waves exhibit is on display at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C., through Jan. 31, 2016. According to the Smithsonian, “Tawaraya Sōtatsu was a commoner who introduced traditional Japanese themes and subjects, formerly the sole purview of the aristocracy, to broader audiences. He painted these nationalistic images using a bold, expressive new design style. This characteristic style was further developed and enhanced when he founded the historic Rinpa school with calligrapher Hon’ami Koetsu; Rinpa works are marked by dramatic, stylized renderings of traditional Japanese themes.”  The photos below were taken during a media tour of the exhibit, which took place three days before it opened to the public.

Waves at Matsushima 松島図屏風
Tawaraya Sōtatsu (act. ca. 1600–40) Japan, Edo period, early 1600s

Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, gold, and silver on paper 166 x 369.9 cm (each, overall)

Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art,
 F1906.231-232
(photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Dragons and Clouds 雲龍図屏風

Tawaraya Sōtatsu (act. ca. 1600–40) Japan, Edo period, early 1600s
Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink and pink tint on paper, 171.5 x 374.3 cm (.229 overall), 171.5 x 374.6 cm (.230 overall)

Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1905.229-230
(photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Nobles Viewing the Nunobiki Waterfalls, Tales of Ise, episode 87 伊勢物語色紙 (布引の滝)

Tawaraya Sōtatsu (act. ca. 1600–40) Japan, early to mid-1600s

Poetry sheet mounted as hanging scroll; ink, colors, and gold on paper 23.97 × 20.96 cm (image); 132.72 × 40.32 cm (on mount)

Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the John R. Van Derlip Fund, 66.40
(photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Nine Scenes from the Tale of Genji 源氏物語図屏風
Tawaraya Sōtatsu (act. ca. 1600–40)
Japan, early to mid-1600s

Eight-panel folding screen; ink, color, and gold on gilded paper
80.65 × 324.49 cm (image)

Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, L2015.33.1
(photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Photos: Sōtatsu: Making Waves – Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D.C.
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine

Videos: Sōtatsu: Making Waves – Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D.C.
Prof. Ryo Furuta and curator James Ulak
all videos by Mai D. Chan / Meniscus Magazine

For more information about the exhibit, go to www.asia.si.edu.