洛中洛外図屏風|Scenes in and around the Capital

The pair of six-panel folding screens titled Scenes in and around the Capital, dated to 1650, exemplifies the Rakuchu Rakugai zu genre of Edo-period urban landscape painting. Executed in ink, color, and gold leaf on paper, the work depicts a Kyoto streetscape and was produced by an anonymous hand. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection has enabled detailed study of anonymous screen painters, positioning the piece as a representative example of 17th-century decorative art that blends topographical accuracy with decorative splendor.

This pair of six-panel folding screens, titled Scenes in and around the Capital, offers a panoramic view of 17th-century Kyoto. Executed with ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, the paintings capture the bustling life of the city from an elevated perspective. The detailed compositions present a vivid portrayal of temples, shops, and numerous inhabitants engaged in their daily routines, unfolding across the expansive surfaces of the screens.

The screens provide a comprehensive visual record of Kyoto during the 17th century, illustrating both its urban core and surrounding areas. From a high vantage point, the viewer observes countless individuals navigating streets, engaging in commerce, and participating in religious ceremonies. This detailed depiction functions as both a topographical representation and a narrative chronicle, inviting close examination of the city's vibrant social and architectural fabric.