Pine and Plum by Moonlight
1568 - 1615
Trading his samurai sword for a painter's brush, Kaihô Yûshô brought a warrior's boldness to this misty landscape. This six-panel folding screen captures a serene scene where gnarled pine branches hang from the top like dark calligraphy strokes, while spindly plum trees on the right reach up into the void. The composition relies heavily on negative space, letting the unpainted background act as a thick, atmospheric fog that swallows the rocky terrain and tiny patches of green vegetation. It’s a masterclass in the Japanese aesthetic of 'ma', where the emptiness is just as powerful as the ink.
- Technique
- Ink wash and light color
- Material
- Paper on folding screen
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