An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Selections from the New Collection of Japanese Poems from Ancient and Modern Times (Shinkokin wakashū) with Printed Designs of Chinese Lions and Crab Finger Grassearly 1600s
Hon’ami Kōetsu was a calligrapher and craftsman who frequently collaborated with the painter Tawaraya Sōtatsu, considered the first master of the Rinpa school. Kōetsu brushed seven poems from the autumn section of a poetry anthology onto dyed paper with motifs designed and printed in gold and silver by Sōtatsu.
Before becoming a master painter of screens, Tawaraya Sōtatsu painted fans.
handscroll; ink, gold, and silver on paper
Overall: 23.2 x 346.6 cm (9 1/8 x 136 7/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the heart of ancient Japan, where the rustling leaves whispered secrets of the seasons, there lived a man named Hon’ami Kōetsu. He was not just any artist; he was a masterful calligrapher and craftsman, a true soul who danced with ink and paper, breathing life into words. With a brush in hand, Kōetsu transformed the paper into a living canvas, each stroke resonating with the beauty of nature and the depth of emotion.
In the vibrant landscapes of his mind, Kōetsu often found a kindred spirit in the painter Tawaraya Sōtatsu. Sōtatsu was a luminary, illuminating the art world as the first master of the Rinpa school, his own strokes a symphony of colors and designs. Together, these two artists forged a bond that turned mere art into poetry.
One fateful autumn, when the air bore the crisp scent of falling leaves and the sky was a canvas of amber, Kōetsu chose to pay tribute to the season with his craft. He meticulously brushed seven poems, delicate verses steeped in the essence of autumn, onto a beautiful paper dyed in hues that echoed the changing leaves. The rich colors, adorned with motifs designed and printed in shimmering gold and silver by Sōtatsu, seemed to dance under the soft glow of the sun, bringing the words to life in a way that intertwined their artistic spirits.
As Kōetsu’s brush glided over the paper, guided by visions of tranquil landscapes and gentle breezes, he knew he was more than a calligrapher; he was a storyteller. His verses intertwined with Sōtatsu’s golden illustrations became a heartfelt dialogue, a serenade to the fleeting beauty of autumn. In each stroke, there was a heartbeat, echoing a deep connection to nature and the timelessness of art.
In that moment, through shared creation, Kōetsu and Sōtatsu became not just artists, but vessels of emotion, weaving a narrative that would transcend time and resonate in the hearts of those who encountered their work. The tapestry they crafted together was a reminder that art could sing—whispering ancient tales to anyone who would listen.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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