Mountains of the Heart (Kyōchūzan 胸中山) 1816

Kameda Bōsai made this diptych, Mountains of the Heart, from ink and color on paper. Notice the artist’s hand in the brushstrokes, each carefully placed to build up these imaginary landscapes. Bōsai was part of the Bunjinga movement of literati painting. These artists were interested in the individual expression of the artist and used traditional materials in new ways. In both halves, the weight of the ink creates depth. The artist layered washes of color to suggest the presence of water and foliage. The paper itself, thin and absorbent, is integral to the work’s effect. Its delicate quality contrasts with the ruggedness of the mountains. Bōsai’s highly personal approach to painting was in contrast to the more formalized styles favored by the court. In these landscapes, we see not just a scene, but the artist's own spirit made visible through the very act of creation. The materials and techniques are inseparable from the meaning.