Who painted 波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves?

波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves was painted by Tawaraya Sōtatsu.

Where can I see 波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves?

波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves?

波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves

Tawaraya Sōtatsu

波に舟図屏風|Boats upon Waves is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Tawaraya Sōtatsu. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1666, this six‑panel byōbu presents a series of small vessels navigating stylized waves.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1666, this six‑panel byōbu presents a series of small vessels navigating stylized waves. Executed on paper with ink, pigments and gold leaf, the composition balances delicate foliage and distant hills with the dynamic movement of water, each panel framed by a thin gilded border that unifies the whole screen.

Subject & Meaning

Each panel depicts a solitary boat or a pair of figures amid undulating seas, suggesting a quiet journey through nature. The inclusion of seasonal flora, pink blossoms, red leaves, and muted greens, offers a subtle reference to the passage of time and the harmony between human activity and the surrounding landscape.

Technique & Style

The artist employs rapid, sweeping brushstrokes to convey the texture of the waves, a hallmark of the tarashikomi method that allows pigments to bleed and merge. Gold leaf outlines accentuate the edges of the scene, while the restrained color palette of blues, greens and occasional reds reflects the decorative emphasis characteristic of the Rinpa school.

History & Provenance

Attributed to Tawaraya Sōtatsu, a prominent figure in the early Rinpa movement, the screen exemplifies his work in decorative interiors and portable art. Produced during a period when folding screens were both functional furnishings and status symbols, the piece likely served as an elegant partition in a wealthy household of mid‑17th‑century Japan.

Context

The work aligns with the Rinpa tradition of reinterpreting classical motifs through bold patterns and refined detail. By integrating stylized natural elements with luxurious materials, the screen reflects the aesthetic ideals of the Edo period, where art, design and everyday objects were increasingly intertwined.

Artist & collection

Artist

Tawaraya Sōtatsu

Tawaraya Sōtatsu (俵屋宗達; c. 1570 – c. 1640) was a Japanese furniture designer and painter of the Rinpa school. Sōtatsu is best known for his decorations of calligraphic works by his partner Hon'ami Kōetsu (1558–1637),…