Sweetfish in Summer and Autumn 1600 - 1850

"Sweetfish in Summer and Autumn" are two hanging scrolls painted with ink and color on silk by Maruyama Ōkyo in the late 18th century. Ōkyo lived in Kyoto, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a period marked by economic growth and artistic flourishing. Ōkyo's work embodies a shift towards naturalism in Japanese art, as seen in his detailed rendering of the sweetfish, plants and flowing water. The diptych captures seasonal change and also invites contemplation. The fish swimming with vigor suggests a narrative of perseverance. Ōkyo sought to break from traditional art schools by studying nature directly. This approach reflects a broader cultural interest in empirical observation and scientific inquiry during the Edo period. Ōkyo’s art evokes a sense of emotional connection to the natural world, mirroring the deep-seated Shinto beliefs in the spiritual essence of nature. These scrolls reflect both the serenity of the natural world and the emotional connection humans have with it.