Golden Fantasies: Japanese Screens from New York Collections
Asia Society home
Ama-no-Hashidate
Edo period (1615–1868), first quarter of 17th century
Single six-panel screen; ink, color, and gold on paper
John C. Weber Collection
Cat. no. 10

A sandbar covered with gnarled pine-trees stretches out across the water from the right of the screen, reaching towards the promontory on which stands Chion-ji temple. Pilgrims disembark from boats and approach the temple buildings. Others, on the left, enjoy a picnic by the pagoda. Sandy beaches ring the landscape and a fishing village lies on the far shore. In the top-right corner the dividing ridges of rice-fields can be seen.

One of the “Three Great Beauty Spots” of Japan and famous since the twelfth century, Ama-no-Hashidate (literally, Bridge of Heaven) refers to the sandbar itself, which lies on the mainland coastline, to the north of Kyoto. The richness of the screen includes not only the colors of the landscape, but also the intricate raised design on the gold clouds in a technique using gesso under the gold leaf.

Screen 8
The screens will be rotated on April 6, 2004 First rotation Second rotation