Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers
Late 17th–early 18th century
Medium
Pair of six-fold screens; ink, colors, and gold paint on paper
Dimensions
170 × 390 cm (66 15/16 × 153 9/16 in.)
Classification
screen
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
29757
Art Historical Context
**Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers** by Sekkei, from the late 17th early 18th century, captivates with its poetic portrayal of misty landscapes along China's legendary Xiao and Xiang rivers. This of six-fold screens, an impressive 170 × 390 cm, unfolds like a panoramic scroll, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in eight iconic scenes—a theme rooted in Song dynasty Chinese literati painting. Adopted in Japan during the Edo period it evokes themes of longing, solitude, and natural beauty, blending Chinese poetic tradition with Japanese sensibility. Crafted in ink, colors, and gold p...