A folding screen painting has been identified as a joint creation by two Edo period artists, Ito Jakuchu and Maruyama Okyo. An expert says the folding screens are the first of their kind that clearly show a link between the two painters.
Professor Yamashita Yuji of Meiji Gakuin University appraised the two-panel gold screens bearing ink brush paintings owned by an individual.
Yamashita determined that the screens were painted around 1787 by Jakuchu and Okyo who were active during that time in Kyoto.
He told reporters he believes an image of chickens on one of the screens was painted by Jakuchu and an image of two carps under a plum tree on the other was created by Okyo.
He said his judgement is based on how the paper was seamed together and where the painters’ seals were placed.
Yamashita said Jakuchu and Okyo each depicted what they were good at and the quality of the paintings is very high.
He said the person who ordered the screens may have designated what they should paint.
The professor said this is the first time an item that shows a link between the two artists has been found.
University of Tokyo Professor Emeritus Tsuji Nobuo is an expert on Jakuchu. He said Okyo’s painting looks composed while Jakuchu’s appears to be challenging Okyo. He said the two were apparently aware of each other as they painted the pictures.
The screens are scheduled to go on display at an exhibition at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka from June next year.