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Peafowl and Phoenixes, late 1500s. Creator: Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539-1613), attributed to
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Peafowl and Phoenixes, late 1500s. Creator: Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539-1613), attributed to
Peafowl and Phoenixes, late 1500s. In this extraordinary pair of screens, pairs of peafowl and phoenixes stand among bamboo and paulownia trees. Phoenixes are fantastical birds said to inhabit paulownia trees and eat bamboo, and to celebrate virtuous rulers. The birds are represented in Japanese art from as early as the Kofun period (about AD 300-710), and their depiction with paulownia trees becomes standard in the decorative arts of the Heian period (794-1185). Peafowl are birds that amuse themselves in the lake of the Buddha Amidas Pure Land, a paradise where many once hoped to find themselves after death. Both birds appeared on textiles or paintings in the 1500s and 1600s, used in official ceremonies centered around emperors. These screens are attributed to painter Tosa Mitsuyoshi based on their style. Mitsuyoshi is best known for his album leaf paintings of The Tale of Genji. This is the only large-scale bird-and-flower composition in his style to survive
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Media ID 19640768
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1573 1615 Attributed To Momoyama Period
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a pair of screens titled "Peafowl and Phoenixes" created in the late 1500s by the renowned Japanese artist, Tosa Mitsuyoshi. The screens depict an enchanting scene where peafowl and phoenixes gracefully stand amidst bamboo and paulownia trees. In Japanese folklore, phoenixes are mythical birds believed to reside in paulownia trees while feasting on bamboo, symbolizing virtuous rulers. These majestic creatures have been depicted in Japanese art since ancient times, with their association with paulownia trees becoming prevalent during the Heian period. The presence of peafowl adds further allure to this composition as they were often associated with the Buddha Amida's Pure Land, a paradise sought after by many for eternal bliss after death. During the 1500s and 1600s, both peafowl and phoenixes frequently adorned textiles and paintings used in official ceremonies centered around emperors. Attributed to Tosa Mitsuyoshi based on its distinctive style, these screens represent his only surviving large-scale bird-and-flower composition outside of his well-known album leaf paintings depicting "The Tale of Genji". This exquisite artwork is a testament to Mitsuyoshi's mastery in capturing nature's beauty through intricate details and vibrant colors. Presented here as a print by Heritage Art/Heritage Images, this image allows us to appreciate Mitsuyoshi's artistic brilliance while immersing ourselves in the timeless charm of Japan's rich cultural heritage.
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