Eight Must-See Paintings in Japan and Where to Find Them

A guide highlights eight significant paintings in Japan, emphasizing their unique historical and cultural contexts. The Wind God and Thunder God Screens by Tawaraya Sōtatsu, early 17th century, are at Kyoto National Museum; these paired folding screens were designed for elite homes, with gold leaf and spare brushwork. Katsushika Hokusai's Red Fuji (c. 1830–1832) at Sumida Hokusai Museum shows Mount Fuji in early morning light using iron oxide pigment. Fujita Tsuguharu's self-portraits at the Modern Art Museum, Tokyo, feature his signature pale, chalky style developed for Western audiences. Yamashita Shunkyo's Portrait of a Woman (1924) at Adachi Art Museum exemplifies nihonga, blending Japanese materials with Western realism. Nanban-era Christian paintings at Kobe City Museum survived Tokugawa bans through concealment. Kanō Mitsunobu's Seasonal Floral Screens from the 16th century at Okada Art Museum depict seasonal plants without horizon lines. Seated Buddha Amida from the Heian Period (11th–12th century) at Tokyo National Museum was designed for temple settings, with smoke damage from incense rituals. Tarō Okamoto's bold, confrontational works at Okamoto Memorial Museum reflect his wartime trauma and critique of beauty as comfort.