Mountain Landscape 1761 - 1763

Soga Shōhaku created this ink on paper ‘Mountain Landscape’ in Japan, sometime in the mid-18th century. Shōhaku, known for his rebellious spirit, lived during the Edo period, a time of strict social hierarchy and isolationist policies under the Tokugawa shogunate. He aligned himself with the Soga school of painting, known for its individualistic style. Shōhaku channels that legacy here, but in a deeply personal way. The bold, expressive brushstrokes convey a sense of drama and grandeur, evoking a landscape that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the ink washes create a misty atmosphere, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. There’s a quiet solitude in this landscape, a sense of being removed from the world. This might reflect Shōhaku’s own feelings of alienation, his desire to break free from the constraints of society, or a longing for connection with something greater than himself. Shōhaku invites us to contemplate our place in the world and find solace in the beauty of nature.