Fusuma Paintings Revived in Modern Times
現代に蘇る襖絵
The Meiji Palace, once the residence of the Meiji Imperial family, featured a large hall called 'Chikusa-no-ma,' which housed a major work, the 'Circular Flower Ceiling,' by renowned lacquer painter and print artist Shibata Zeshin. The hall was destroyed in the war, and today, only Zeshin's original sketches remain. Based on these sketches, Yasukawa Nyofu, the only ‘miyaeshi’ (artist specializing in the restoration and decoration of Buddhist temples and shrines) in Japan today, completed the beautiful 'Circular Flower Motifs' as fusuma sliding door paintings for Daiou-in in 2020.
"Chigusa no Hana no Maru" Fusuma Paintings
(Paintings of Thousand Varieties of Circular Flower Motifs on Japanese Sliding Doors)
There are 43 types of Circular Flower Motifs at Daiou-in. Based on Shibata Zeshin's sketches of Circular Flower Motifs, Yasukawa Nyofu painted the 'Chigusa' (thousand varieties) flower motifs on fusuma sliding door panels.
The flower motifs, created with the distinctive sensitivity of the Japanese, are both traditional and delicate, featuring soft colors and subtle, playful details hidden throughout the design.
South Entrance Hall
Tree peony / Bush clover / Snake gourd / Begonia / Golden lace
安川 如風
宮絵師
‘Miyaeshi’ Artist,
Yasukawa Nyofu
A ‘Miyaeshi’ is an artisan who paints on ceilings, walls, ‘fusuma’ sliding doors, and buildings at shrines and temples.
Yasukawa Nyofu is an artist who has dedicated many years to the restoration and coloring of national treasures and important cultural properties, preserving Japan's cultural heritage and traditional arts. His most notable works include projects at Yasaka Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, as well as with Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo.
PURPOSE
Preserving Culture for Future Generations
This project revives Shibata Zeshin's (1807-1891) flower motif designs as sliding door paintings. A key aim and significance of this project is to introduce more people to the person of Shibata Zeshin and his remarkable works through the flower motif designs he created.
Additionally, we seek to preserve the traditional painting techniques of Japan's only ‘miyaeshi’ artist, passing them down through the fusuma paintings, ensuring they remain a part of Daiou-in’s 400-year history for generations to come.
