Entertainments of the Four Seasons in Kyoto (detail) [SPRING]
Attributed to Maruyama Okyo (1733-95)
Japanese, Edo period
Hand scroll; ink on paper
Founders Society Purchase, Edsel and Eleanor Ford Exhibition and Acquisition Fund, Alan and Marianne Schwartz Fund, with funds from Michigan National Corporation, Mrs. Howard J. Stoddard, and Mr. and Mrs. Stanford C. Stoddard
1983.21

Maruyama Okyo was the master of the realist school of painting in 18^th century Japan. Okyo's brilliant talent in genre painting is evident in his execution of the popular time-honored theme of seasonal activities. A scene of a summer night gathering along the cool banks of the Kamo River at the intersection of Shijo Street is preceded by a scene of spring cherry blossoms and followed by scenes of the fall lantern festival and the winter preparations for the New Year's festivities. Between the scenes are sections of spontaneous cursive-style narrative text by the renowned calligrapher Takahashi Munenao.