Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang 1641 - 1649

Iwasa Matabei created these hanging scrolls, "Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang," using ink and color on silk. Note how the materials themselves contribute to the ethereal quality of the images. The silk, prized for its delicate texture and sheen, mutes the colors and softens the brushstrokes, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective. The traditional techniques used, likely passed down through generations of artists and artisans, speak to the cultural significance of landscape painting in Japan. Consider the labor involved: from the cultivation of silkworms to the weaving of the fabric, to the grinding of inks and the meticulous application of color. While Matabei was of samurai descent, he chose to make his living through painting, navigating the complex social hierarchy of Edo-period Japan. The value lies not only in the finished image, but in the materials, the making, and the cultural context that imbue the work with meaning.