Pine and Plum at Chishakuin
The Pine and Plum (Color on Gold Ground Paper; four sliding-door panels) (紙本金地著色松に梅図〈襖貼付四〉) is a Momoyama-period gold-ground wall painting held by Chishakuin in Higashigawara-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, made up of four sliding-door 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 03 of designation number 00041. It consists of four sliding-door panels painting pine and plum 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 graceful world of huge trees and delicate seasonal flowers in the Chishakuin paintings as representative of the high Momoyama period. This set, placing an evergreen pine and early-spring plum against gold, conveys that world in its own way.
What to Look For
Look at the pairing of the pine's thick trunk and branches with the plum blossoms. Evergreen pine and plum, the herald of spring, together suggest the turning of the seasons against the gold.
The four panels were sliding doors dividing rooms in Shounji's guest hall, so view them as a continuous run of doors.
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 and Plum?
- 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 does the Pine and Plum consist of?
- Four sliding-door panels painting pine and plum on a gold ground.
- Can I see the Pine and Plum?
- 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 and Plum (Color on Gold Ground Paper; four sliding-door panels) (紙本金地著色松に梅図〈襖貼付四〉) |
|---|---|
| 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 sliding-door panels |
| Dimensions | Not recorded |
| Owner | Chishakuin |
| Public Access | Displayed in the storehouse (treasure hall); viewing conditions to be confirmed |
References
- 紙本金地著色松に梅図〈襖貼付四〉 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/201/46
- 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