Real Figures of the King of Mountains (Sannō shinkei) 山王真形

Art Historical Context

Created in the spring of 1822 during Japan’s Edo period, *Real Figures of the King of Mountains* (Sannō shinkei) offers a delicate glimpse into the era’s deep reverence for sacred landscapes. Artist Ōishi Shuga rendered this illustrated book in ink and color on paper, capturing the majestic forms of mountain peaks often associated with Shinto and Buddhist worship. The title refers to Sannō, the “King of Mountains,” a deity linked to protective mountain spirits, suggesting these images served both devotional and aesthetic purposes for contemporary viewers. Measuring just under seven by nine inches, the compact volume highlights the intimate scale typical of Edo-period illustrated books, which were meant to be held and appreciated up close. Subtle touches of color against the ink lines evoke the quiet beauty of snow-dusted summits, inviting reflection on nature’s spiritual power. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Asian Art collection, this work preserves a moment when art, faith, and the natural world intertwined seamlessly in Japanese culture.