近衛信尹筆 渡唐天神図|Tenjin Traveling to China

Art Historical Context

In the late 16th century, Japan's dynamic Momoyama period (1573–1615), court noble and master calligrapher Konoe Nobutada created *Tenjin Traveling to China a captivating hanging scroll in ink on paper. Measuring nearly 38 by 17 inches in its image area, this work illustrates a legendary scene from the life of Sugawara no Michizane, deified as Tenjin, the Shinto god of scholarship and poetry. Depicting Tenjin's miraculous spiritual voyage to Tang-dynasty China—part of folklore surrounding his exile and posthumous exoneration—the painting blends fluid calligraphy with evocative imagery, showcasing Nobutada's signature bold, angular brushwork. Hanging scrolls like this were prized in Japanese elite circles for seasonal display, unrolled to reveal their full splendor during tea ceremonies or scholarly gatherings. Nobutada's technique, rooted in his aristocratic training, exemplifies Momoyama ink painting's emphasis on expressive minimalism, where sparse lines convey motion, divinity, and cultural reverence. The meter's precise monochrome palette highlights the era's shift toward dramatic, personal artistry amid samurai rule and castle-building fervor. A gem from the Mary Griggs Burke Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this scroll invites visitors to ponder Tenjin's enduring role as patron of learning, reminding us of Japan's rich fusion of history, myth, and masterful ink traditions.

About the Artist

Konoe Nobutada · 1565–1614

Japanese, 1565–1614