In 18th century Kyoto, many artists actively exercised their talents. This new exhibition focuses on the work of the artists of Kyoto, who had a deep connection to Shokoku-ji.
The first section follows the trails of interactions between the monks of Shokoku-ji and artists, through works such as Ito Jakuchu’s Shaka Sanzon Portrait. Also on display are materials relating to the Great Tenmei Fire incident (1788), during which a large part of Kyoto, especially the city center, was razed to the ground leaving a large scar on the face of the city. Works known as sugito paintings by the artist Hara Zaichu depicting the Shokoku-ji abbot’s quarters that was rebuilt afterwards were also lost in the blaze. We invite you to view the depiction of Shokoku-ji’s monks and Kyoto’s artists on the path towards recovery from the disaster.
On display in the third section are the famous works, brimming with the artists’ individuality, of the Shokoku-ji school affiliated Rokuon-ji temple, among which is an Important Cultural Property of Japan, the fifty pieces of the room divider paintings of the Rokuon-ji Daishoin by Ito Jakuchu, as well as the Mountain, Water, and Personalities room divider paintings for the abbot and high priests’ quarters in Jisho-ji drawn by Yosa Buson. Also available for your viewing are the collected artistic skills of other artists such as Ikeno Taiga and Maruyama Okyo, who graced the artists’ world of 18th century Kyoto.
We hope you enjoy the collection of temple quarters artwork centered on the early modern room divider paintings representative of Shokoku-ji, Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji), and Jisho-ji (Ginkaku-ji.)

The Shaka Sanzon Portrait that Ito Jakuchu contributed to Shokoku-ji is on display

The connection between Shokoku-ji and Ito Jakuchu is deep, and is symbolized by the Shaka Sanzo Portrait. In September 29, 1765, the fifty year old Ito Jakuchu contributed the Shaka Sanzon Portrait and the Colorful Realm of Living Beings (Doshoku-sai’e) to Shokoku-ji. In the same year, he made a contract with Shokoku-ji for services performed in perpetuity for departed souls, and in the following year (1766), by the inscription of Shokoku-ji’s Daiten Kenjo, his pre-funeral tomb was built in So’o-an of Shokoku-ji.
In 1889, Shokoku-ji, struggling with finances amid the impact of the anti-Buddhist movement, contributed the Colorful Realm of Living Beings to the Imperial household, and it is now owned by the Imperial House Agency. At that time, Shokoku-ji used the money received via grant to buy back the temple grounds, which it still occupies now. The first exhibition room of the Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum was built with the intention of showing the Shaka Sanzon Portrait and the Colorful Realm of Living Beings, and Jakuchu’s presence inside Shokoku-ji is still going strong to this day.