Water Buffalo in an Autumn Field (Color on Silk)

A Southern Song Court Painting of Buffalo

The Water Buffalo in an Autumn Field (Color on Silk) (絹本著色秋野牧牛図) is a Southern Song painting of water buffalo in an autumn field, owned by the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum and recorded at its Tokyo branch in Roppongi, Minato Ward, Tokyo, which in 1957 was designated a National Treasure.

The Sen-oku Hakukokan gives it as attributed to Yan Ciping, Southern Song (thirteenth century), 97.5 by 50.6 centimetres, ink and colour on silk.

According to the museum, Yan Ciping was a court painter of the early Southern Song, said to have excelled at oxen.

The Painting

According to the museum, it shows water buffalo and a herdboy resting in the shade of autumn trees.

Its imposing composition, moist atmosphere and finely drawn hair of the buffalo give it the dignity and lyricism of court painting.

What to Look For

The museum notes that a note by Soami, who served the Ashikaga shoguns in the Muromachi period, has come down with it.

Notice how a Southern Song court painting has been handed down with the note of a Muromachi shogunal connoisseur.

Visiting the Water Buffalo in an Autumn Field (Color on Silk)

The painting is owned by the Sen-oku Hakukokan and is not always on display; check the museum's schedule.