Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716), the founder of the Rinpa school, painted the 'Irises at Yatsuhashi' pair of folding screens around the turn of the 18th century. Across two six-fold screens of burnished gold leaf, nothing appears except a rhythmic sweep of purple iris blossoms and green sword-like leaves — a pictorial distillation of the 'Eight Bridges' episode from the classical 'Tales of Ise', stripped of its bridges, water, and travellers so that only pattern, poetry, and colour remain. Designated a National Treasure, the work is revered as one of the summits of Japanese decorative painting.

Exhibition Venue

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo, Japan