雪村周継筆 山水図|Landscape with Rocky Precipice
16th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Image: 11 7/8 × 18 3/8 in. (30.2 × 46.7 cm) Overall with mounting: 44 in. × 22 5/8 in. (111.8 × 57.4 cm) Overall with knobs: 44 × 24 1/2 in. (111.8 × 62.3 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
Japan · Muromachi period (1392–1573)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Accession Number
2015.300.54
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
**Landscape with Rocky Precipice by Sesson Shūkei, a 16th-century hanging scroll in ink and color on paper, captures the dramatic essence of Muromachi-period (1392–1573) Japanese landscape painting. Created during a time when Zen Buddhism profoundly influenced art, Shūkei drew from Chinese ink traditions while infusing them with a distinctly Japanese sensibility. As a follower in the lineage of the renowned Sesshū Tōyō, Shūkei's work exemplifies the bold, expressive "professional" painting style that contrasted with the more refined courtly aesthetics of the era. The scroll's compact image (11⅞ × 18⅜ in.) depicts towering rocky precipices amid misty mountains, rendered with vigorous brushstrokes and subtle color washes. Hanging scrolls like this were cherished possessions, unrolled for contemplation during tea ceremonies or scholarly gatherings, emphasizing nature's sublime power—a core theme in Zen-inspired art. Shūkei's technique highlights dynamic composition, with jagged forms evoking both awe and transience. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Mary Griggs Burke Collection, this piece reflects the cultural exchange between China and Japan, showcasing how Muromachi artists transformed imported styles into profound expressions of impermanence and harmony with nature. A true gem for visitors seeking the poetic depth of Japanese ink landscapes!
About the Artist
Sesson Shūkei · 1500–1600
ca. 1504–ca. 1589