Collection Exhibition: Crisp vs. Rich - Edo Painting
Culture

Collection Exhibition: Crisp vs. Rich - Edo Painting

Japanese name:館蔵品展 さっぱり こってり 江戸絵画

📅 Sat, Aug 29, 2026 - Sun, Sep 27, 2026

📍 Itabashi, Tokyo

About this event

A wide variety of paintings was produced during the Edo period. In particular, the light style pioneered by Kano Tan'yu, founder of the Edo Kano school, which reduced brushstrokes and made effective use of blank space, became a benchmark for Edo painting. While there was such 'crisp' (sappari) expression, on the other hand, the Nanpin school modeled after Chinese bird-and-flower paintings, as well as Western-style paintings incorporating Western perspective and shading, produced numerous 'rich' (kotteri) works showcasing dense colors and strong attention to detail. Centered around these two contrasting keywords, this exhibition introduces the richness and appeal of Edo painting. The exhibition unravels the diverse expressions of Edo painting through the contrasting keywords 'crisp' and 'rich', highlighting its depth and charm. Visitors can fully appreciate the world of painting that flourished in the Edo period, ranging from Kano Tan'yu's refined style to the rich expressions of the Nanpin school and Western-style works.

Official website (Japanese) ↗

Venue

Itabashi Art Museum

5-34-27 Akatsuka, Itabashi, Tokyo 175-0092

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