Pine with Sunset Hibiscus and Chrysanthemums at Chishakuin
The Pine with Sunset Hibiscus and Chrysanthemums (Color on Gold Ground Paper; four panels for the alcove) (紙本金地著色松に黄蜀葵及菊図〈床貼付四〉) is a Momoyama-period gold-ground wall painting held by Chishakuin in Higashigawara-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, made up of four alcove panels, and designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952. It is part of the Chishakuin wall paintings by Hasegawa Tohaku and his workshop.
In the Agency for Cultural Affairs' records it is branch 04 of designation number 00041. It consists of four alcove panels painting a pine with sunset hibiscus and chrysanthemums on gold.
Why It Is a National Treasure
According to the Kyoto City Foundation for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, the Chishakuin paintings come from the guest hall of Shounji, the temple Toyotomi Hideyoshi built in memory of his first son Tsurumatsu, who died aged three in 1591, and were probably finished by the third-year memorial service in 1593. They were painted by Hasegawa Tohaku (1539 to 1610), his son Kyuzo and the Hasegawa workshop; of the more than 100 panels thought to have existed, some 20 principal ones survive. Shounji's buildings were given to Chishakuin by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1615.
The Kyoto City foundation describes the room where works such as the pine and hibiscus paintings are displayed together as a remarkable sight. With summer and autumn flowers at the foot of a great pine, this set shows clearly Tohaku's way of pairing monumental trees with bright flowers.
What to Look For
Look at the great pine and the sunset hibiscus and chrysanthemums blooming at its foot. The pale yellow hibiscus flowers from summer into autumn and, with the chrysanthemums, stands out against the gold as a seasonal flower.
The four panels decorated an alcove in the guest hall, so look at how the composition fits that space.
Seeing the Painting
The Kyoto City foundation describes the National Treasure gold-ground paintings as stored and displayed in Chishakuin's treasure hall, and the Japan Tourism Agency's commentary likewise says they are kept in the temple's storehouse.
Chishakuin's website was under maintenance on October 4, 2026, so viewing hours, admission and display status could not be confirmed. Check with the temple (075-541-5361) before visiting. The address is 964 Higashigawara-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto.
Q&A
- Who painted the Pine with Sunset Hibiscus and Chrysanthemums?
- Hasegawa Tohaku and his workshop; it is part of the Chishakuin wall paintings.
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On March 29, 1952.
- Where were the Chishakuin paintings originally?
- In the guest hall of Shounji, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in memory of his son Tsurumatsu.
- What is depicted?
- A great pine with sunset hibiscus and chrysanthemums on a gold ground.
- Can I see this painting?
- The paintings are kept and displayed in Chishakuin's storehouse; with the temple website under maintenance, check viewing conditions with the temple.
Basic Information
| Name | Pine with Sunset Hibiscus and Chrysanthemums (Color on Gold Ground Paper; four panels for the alcove) (紙本金地著色松に黄蜀葵及菊図〈床貼付四〉) |
|---|---|
| Location | 964 Higashigawara-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Chishakuin) |
| Designation | National Treasure (Fine Arts and Crafts: Painting) |
| Year Designated | National Treasure 1952/3/29 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | Four alcove panels |
| Dimensions | Not recorded |
| Owner | Chishakuin |
| Public Access | Displayed in the storehouse (treasure hall); viewing conditions to be confirmed |
References
- 紙本金地著色松に黄蜀葵及菊図〈床貼付四〉 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/201/47
- Early wall paintings of Kyoto 1: Hasegawa Tohaku (Kyoto City Foundation for Conservation of Cultural Heritage)
- https://www.kyobunka.or.jp/learn/learn_art/1994.php
- Storehouse: National Treasure wall paintings (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual commentary database)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/common/001554773.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.04