松下絵和歌巻断簡 (Matsu shita-e wakakan dankan)|Section of a Handscroll with Waka and Underpainting of Pines

Art Historical Context

This exquisite hanging scroll fragment, titled *Section of a Handscroll Waka and Underpainting of Pines*, showcases a rare collaboration between two Rinpa school masters: Tawaraya Sōtatsu, renowned for his innovative painting, and Hon'ami Kōetsu, a celebrated calligrapher. Created in the early 17 century during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), it features delicate ink calligraphy of waka poems overlaid on Sōtatsu's subtleainting of pine trees against shimmering gold-decorated paper. Originally part of a larger handscroll, this section (11 7/8 × 22 3/8 in.) captures the serene elegance of nature and poetry intertwined. The Rinpa style, pioneered by these artists in Kyoto's vibrant cultural circles, revolutionized Japanese art with its bold use of gold leaf and asymmetrical compositions inspired by classical themes. Here, Sōtatsu's *matsu shita-e* technique—faint pine motifs as a luminous ground—highlights the interplay of ink and metallic sheen, evoking misty landscapes and evanescence. Kōetsu's fluid calligraphy adds rhythmic poetry, embodying the traditional Japanese ideal of harmony among painting, writing, and verse. As a luxury artifact from the elite Machida and Koami workshops, this work reflects Edo-era refinement, blending Heian court aesthetics with bold innovation. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, it invites visitors to ponder the timeless beauty of pines—symbols of longevity and resilience—in gold-kissed splendor.

About the Artist

Tawaraya Sōtatsu 俵屋宗達|Hon'ami Kōetsu 本阿弥光悦 (Japanese) · 1570 –1640