Byobu Collection

Trees. A six-section folding screens, Mid of 17th cen.. Found in the collection of Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Scene from the Genpei War, 17th century. Creator: Unknown artist
Scene from the Genpei War, 17th century. Found in the Collection of the Museo d'Arte Orientale di Venezia

Kamigamo Shrine in Summer, 1860-1870. Creator: Mori Kansai
Kamigamo Shrine in Summer, 1860-1870. The Kamigamo Shrine is the oldest Shinto shrine in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto

Byodo-in Temple in Winter, 1860-1870. Creator: Mori Kansai
Byodo-in Temple in Winter, 1860-1870. The roof and one wing of the Hoodo, the phoenix hall and main building, at the Byodo-in in Uji appears rising above the trees in this graden setting

Cranes, End of 17th-Early 18th cen. Creator: Korin, Ogata (1658-1716)
Cranes, End of 17th-Early 18th cen. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons. Detail of six-panel folding screen, End of 16th cen. Creator: Anonymous
Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons. Detail of six-panel folding screen, End of 16th cen. Found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Arrival of a Portuguese ship. Nanban screen, ca. 1600. Artist: Anonymous
Arrival of a Portuguese ship. Nanban screen, ca. 1600. Found in the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Battle scenes from the Tale of Heike (Heike Monogatari), First third of 17th cen Artist: Anonymous
Battle scenes from the Tale of Heike (Heike Monogatari), First third of 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Visiting a Hermit, 1930. Artist: Kansetsu, Hashimoto (1883-1945)
Visiting a Hermit, 1930. Found in the collection of the Adachi Museum of Art

Irises, 18th century. Found in the collection of Nezu Museum Tokyo

Arrival of a Portuguese ship. Nanban screen. Detail: Japanese Christians, ca. 1600. Artist: Anonymous
Arrival of a Portuguese ship. Nanban screen. Detail: Japanese Christians, ca. 1600. Found in the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Summer and autumn flower plants. (Part of the pair of two-fold screens). Artist: Hoitsu, Sakai (1761-1828)
Summer and autumn flower plants. (Part of the pair of two-fold screens). Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

An Exiled Emperor on Okinoshima, ca. 1600. Artist: Anonymous
An Exiled Emperor on Okinoshima, ca. 1600. Found in the collection of the Kimbell Art Museum

The River Bridge at Uji, 1568-1615. Artist: Anonymous
The River Bridge at Uji, 1568-1615. Found in the collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri

Waves at Matsushima, Early 17th cen Artist: Sotatsu, Tawaraya (active Early 17th cen. )
Waves at Matsushima, Early 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Wind-screen and cherry tree. Artist: Anonymous
Wind-screen and cherry tree. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Trees, Early 17th cen Artist: Master of I-nen Seal (active 1600-1630)
Trees, Early 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C

Millet and Birds, ca 1625. Artist: Anonymous
Millet and Birds, ca 1625. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Mount Fuji and the moon, ca 1760. Artist: Anonymous
Mount Fuji and the moon, ca 1760. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

The plain of Musashi, ca 1760. Artist: Anonymous
The plain of Musashi, ca 1760. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Seto Inland Sea, Second Half of the 17th cen Artist: Anonymous
Seto Inland Sea, Second Half of the 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Scenes in and around Kyoto, ca 1690. Artist: Anonymous
Scenes in and around Kyoto, ca 1690. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Scenes from The tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), 17th century. Artist: Anonymous
Scenes from The tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), 17th century. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Autumn landscape with wild geese, c. 1650. Artist: Anonymous
Autumn landscape with wild geese, c. 1650. Found in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia

Musashino, 17th century. Artist: Anonymous
Musashino, 17th century. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

Famous Sites of the Sumida River, Second Half of the 18th cen Artist: Anonymous
Famous Sites of the Sumida River, Second Half of the 18th cen.. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer, Second Half of the 17th cen Artist: Eino, Kano (1631-1697)
Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer, Second Half of the 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

Phoenixes by Paulownia Trees, 17th century. Artist: Tan yu, Kano (1602-1674)
Phoenixes by Paulownia Trees, 17th century. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

Western Kings on Horseback, First third of 17th cen Artist: Anonymous
Western Kings on Horseback, First third of 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

Namban Screens, First third of 17th cen Artist: Sanraku, Kano (ca. 1559-1635)
Namban Screens, First third of 17th cen.. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

Flowering Plants in Autumn, 18th century. Artist: Korin, Ogata (1658-1716)
Flowering Plants in Autumn, 18th century. Found in the collection of the Suntory Museum of Art

After a Shower, 1928. Artist: Seiho, Takeuchi (1864-1942)
After a Shower, 1928. Found in the collection of the Adachi Museum of Art

Good Omen, 1931. Artist: Shunkyo, Yamamoto (1871-1933)
Good Omen, 1931. Found in the collection of the Adachi Museum of Art

Merry-making under aronia blossoms. Left of a pair of six-section folding screens, 18th century. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Merry-making under aronia blossoms. Right of a pair of six-section folding screens, 18th century. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

The Thunder God. Left part of two-fold screens Wind God and Thunder God, Early 18th cen Artist: Korin
The Thunder God. Left part of two-fold screens Wind God and Thunder God, Early 18th cen.. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

The Wind God. Right part of two-fold screens Wind God and Thunder God, Early 18th cen Artist: Korin, Ogata (1658-1716)
The Wind God. Right part of two-fold screens Wind God and Thunder God, Early 18th cen.. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Roukaku Sansui Zu (Landscape with tower) Right of a pair of six-section folding screens, c. 1750. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Maple viewers. A six-section folding screens, 16th century. Artist: Hideyori, Kano (active 1565-1576)
Maple viewers. A six-section folding screens, 16th century. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Pine Trees (Left of a pair of six-section folding screens), 16th century. Artist: Hasegawa, Tohaku (1539-1610)
Pine Trees (Left of a pair of six-section folding screens), 16th century. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Pine Trees (Right of a pair of six-section folding screens), 16th century. Artist: Hasegawa, Tohaku (1539-1610)
Pine Trees (Right of a pair of six-section folding screens), 16th century. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Cypress Tree (Eight folded screen), 1590. Artist: Eitoku, Kano (1543-1590)
Cypress Tree (Eight folded screen), 1590. Found in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum

Tenkeisei, God of Heavenly Punishment (Part of the set of five hanging scrolls Extermination of Evil), 12th century. Found in the collection of the Nara National Museum

Landscape screen, 11th-12th century. Artist: Anonymous
Landscape screen, 11th-12th century. Found in the collection of the National Museum Kyoto

Waterfall in Spring and Autumn (Set of two hanging scrolls), 1893. Artist: Chikudo, Kishi (1826-1897)
Waterfall in Spring and Autumn (Set of two hanging scrolls), 1893. Found in the collection of the Adachi Museum of Art

River Landscape with Fireflies, 1874. Artist: Bunrin, Shiokawa (1808-1877)
River Landscape with Fireflies, 1874. Found in the collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri

Hie Sanno Sairei-Zu, 17th century. Artist: Anonymous
Hie Sanno Sairei-Zu, 17th century. Found in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

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"Discover the Artistry and Beauty of Byobu: A Journey Through Japanese History" Step into a world where art meets functionality, as we delve into the captivating realm of byobu. Originating in Japan during the mid-17th century, these six-section folding screens have become an iconic symbol of cultural heritage. Immerse yourself in history with the Nanban screen, circa 1600, depicting the awe-inspiring arrival of a Portuguese ship. Marvel at its intricate details and anonymous artist's ability to capture this significant moment in time. Experience the epic tales from Heike Monogatari through battle scenes depicted on another anonymous masterpiece from the first third of the 17th century. Let your imagination run wild as you witness warriors clash amidst a backdrop of turmoil and honor. Embark on a serene journey with Kansetsu Hashimoto's "Visiting a Hermit, " created in 1930. Lose yourself in contemplation as you explore this tranquil scene that transports you to simpler times. Delight your senses with vibrant irises captured flawlessly by an unknown artist during the 18th century. Let their beauty inspire you and evoke feelings of serenity and admiration for nature's wonders. Return to Portuguese influence with another Nanban screen detail showcasing Japanese Christians around 1600. Witness their devotion against a backdrop that reflects both cultural exchange and religious fervor. Celebrate nature's bounty through Hoitsu Sakai's pair of two-fold screens depicting summer and autumn flower plants. Allow these exquisite artworks to transport you to seasons filled with vibrant colors and delicate blooms. Uncover secrets from Okinoshima Island as an exiled emperor takes center stage on yet another anonymous masterpiece dating back to approximately 1600. Feel his longing for home resonate within your soul as he gazes upon distant shores. Cross over The River Bridge at Uji, immortalized by an unknown artist between 1568 and 1615.