Sesshū Tōyō (1420 – 1506)
Nationality | Japanese |
Where Artist Lived | Bitchū, Japan |
Associated Movements | Muromachi Period |
Famous Artworks | Landscapes of the Four Seasons (1469) Sansui Chokan (Long Scroll of Landscapes) (1486) Huike Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma (1496) |
Sesshū Tōyō was one of the few traditional Japanese artists from the Muromachi period, who was highly respected, not only in Japan, but also in China. This was due to the influence of art from the Chinese Song Dynasty on his work, which he infused with his own Japanese style. Tōyō was considered the most influential artist who pioneered Japanese ink wash painting, which was founded by Tenshō Shūbun, his master who taught him Japanese art styles such as Sumi-e.
Portrait of Sesshū Tōyō, c. 16th century; unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Tōyō took the traditional style of his master Shūbun and gave it a distinct Japanese character by incorporating areas with flatter dimensional space, thicker lines, and greater contrast between shadow and light. Tōyō was considered by his peers, as well as historians, to be the greatest painter in Japan.
Landscape of the Four Seasons (1486)
Date | 1486 |
Medium | Ink and light color on paper |
Dimensions (cm) | 40 x 1500 |
Where It Is Housed | Mōri Museum, Yamaguchi, Japan |
Considered the greatest example of ink painting to come from Japan, Landscape of the Four Seasons is regarded by historians as Sesshū Tōyō’s best masterpiece. The 15-meter scroll depicts the various seasons of the year, starting with spring and ending in winter.
The Chinese influence can be seen in both the style and theme of the composition, yet Tōyō brought a Japanese character to this artwork, setting it apart from the art of the Chinese Dynasty.
- LEFT: Landscape of the Four Seasons, Winter (15th century) by Sesshū Tōyō; Sesshū Tōyō, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- RIGHT: Landscape of the Four Seasons, Summer (15th century) by Sesshū Tōyō; Sesshū Tōyō, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Tōyō also painted other Japanese art styles and subjects, as seen in his Japanese drawings of Buddha and other Zen-influenced paintings. However, it is the Landscape of the Four Seasons that most defines his style and led to Tōyō’s status as a master of traditional Japanese art.
LEFT: Landscape of the Four Seasons, Autumn (15th century) by Sesshū Tōyō; Sesshū Tōyō, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
RIGHT: Landscape of the Four Seasons, Spring (15th century) by Sesshū Tōyō; Sesshū Tōyō, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
