Cranes and Pines [right of a pair] c. 19th century

Yamamoto Sodō created this six-panel screen, Cranes and Pines, using ink, color, and gold leaf on paper. The materials themselves are not unusual in Japanese art. What's striking, though, is the sheer scale and dynamism of the work. Imagine the labor involved in applying the gold leaf to create that shimmering ground. Each tiny piece would have been carefully placed. The artist then used ink and color washes to conjure the flock of cranes in flight, and the stylized landscape beneath. This combination of meticulous work and flowing brushwork is typical of the Rinpa school, to which Sodō belonged. But there’s another aspect to consider. Folding screens like this were luxury objects, commissioned by wealthy patrons. The imagery – cranes and pines symbolizing long life and good fortune – speaks to the aspirations of this elite clientele. So, while we can admire the skill and artistry on display, we should also remember the social context in which it was produced. Understanding the labor, the materials, and the intended audience brings us closer to the screen's full significance.