Landscape [left of a triptych of Three Scenes of Autumn Evening] c. late 17th century

This landscape, the left panel of a triptych titled *Three Scenes of Autumn Evening*, was painted on silk by Sumiyoshi Gukei in Japan during the Edo period. Gukei belonged to the Sumiyoshi school, which served the Tokugawa shogunate, the military government of Japan, as official painters. This institutional role shaped the style and subject matter of their art. We see this in his refined technique and the choice of landscape, a traditional theme in Japanese art with roots in Zen Buddhism. The monochrome ink and subtle washes create a sense of tranquility and harmony, reflecting the values of the ruling elite. Yet, the very act of depicting nature can be seen as a commentary on the social order, offering an alternative to the rigid structures of the shogunate. To understand this work fully, we need to consider the complex interplay between artistic tradition, political power, and spiritual beliefs in Edo-period Japan, drawing on historical texts, biographies, and studies of the Sumiyoshi school.