Eight Views of Ōmi (Ōmi hakkei) 1762 - 1766

Soga Shōhaku created this ink-on-paper screen, Eight Views of Ōmi, during the Edo period in Japan. The screen depicts scenic spots around Lake Biwa, presenting a stylized view of nature. During this period, Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, a time marked by relative peace and economic growth, but also rigid social stratification. The art world, including the Kano school which influenced Shōhaku, was tightly controlled by the shogunate, reinforcing traditional values and aesthetics. Yet, Shōhaku was seen as an eccentric painter, known for his unconventional style and rebellious spirit. This artwork reflects a tension between tradition and innovation, subtly challenging the aesthetic norms of his time. Art historians study such works through historical documents, and cultural studies, examining the social and institutional contexts that shaped both the artist and his art.