Landscape

This ink landscape features subdued refinement. Figures walking on the bridge or the path in the foreground are probably visiting their friends in the pavilion. A waterfall flows from mountains that soar up on the right. Magnificent pines rise up before the waterfall, as if from the depths of the mountain. Several human figures are dotted throughout the landscape. A man and his attendant can be seen in the foreground, while several figures on horseback ride across a bridge. People can also be seen in an impressive building that protrudes from the fog. It seems all the other figures are heading to this building too. The whole scene is painted using different shades of ink.

Ink paintings like this were popular among practitioners of Zen Buddhism. Landscapes were common themes of ink paintings. A closer look reveals light splashes of color on the pine leaves and the plum blossoms that bloom near the roots. The landscape is Chinese, but it is depicting an idealistic Zen world rather than any actual existing place. Zen priests harbored a longing to retire to a secluded place to pass their days talking with friends. Maybe they imagined themselves within the painting as they gazed at landscapes like this. Perhaps you would also like to try stepping into this picture to enjoy the world within.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.