The Story of Four Seasons Painted by Master Artist Sesshu

The "Four Seasons Landscape Scroll" (Shiki Sansui-zu), completed by Sesshu Toyo (1420-1506), a master ink painter of the Muromachi period, at the age of 67, holds a special place in Japanese art history. This magnificent landscape painting, spanning approximately 16 meters in length, depicts the changing scenery from spring to winter with both grandeur and delicacy.

Also known affectionately as "Sansui Chokan" (Long Landscape Scroll), this work is considered the pinnacle among Sesshu's six National Treasure works in terms of scale and artistic completion. The scroll bears the date of Bunmei 18 (1486) at its end, making it a valuable resource for understanding Sesshu's life and artistic maturity.

Why It Was Designated as a National Treasure

The Four Seasons Landscape Scroll was designated as a National Treasure for several important values it possesses.

First, it represents the establishment of a uniquely Japanese ink painting style. While Sesshu traveled to Ming China and studied authentic techniques, he fused them with Japanese sensibilities toward nature, creating his own distinctive style. The vertically rising rocky mountains, powerful brushwork, and subtle depiction of seasonal changes demonstrate the culmination of Japanese ink painting that transcended mere imitation of Chinese art.

Second, the rarity and completeness of the work. It is extremely rare to find a Muromachi period ink painting scroll of such scale maintaining such excellent preservation. The fact that it received National Treasure designation in the first round after the implementation of the Cultural Properties Protection Law in 1951 speaks to its exceptional value.

Third, its historical significance. This work was originally presented to Ouchi Masahiro, the guardian daimyo of Yamaguchi. After the fall of the Ouchi clan, it passed to the Mouri family and has been carefully preserved to this day. It serves as a precious witness to Japanese cultural history, particularly the history of Yamaguchi as a cultural center of western Japan.

Attractions and Highlights

The greatest appeal of the Four Seasons Landscape Scroll is the dramatic seasonal narrative that unfolds across the 16-meter expanse. Beginning with peaceful spring villages, progressing through deep summer mountains, autumn's vibrancy, and finally winter's tranquility, it takes viewers on a journey through time and space.

The distinctive expression known as the "Sesshu style" is another highlight. The vertically rising rocky mountains, bent pine branches, and bold spatial expression through ink gradation greatly influenced later Japanese painting. The stippling (tenten) applied to rock surfaces is not mere decoration but an important element creating rhythm and dynamics in the composition.

The scenes of daily life depicted within the painting are also fascinating elements. While Chinese-style buildings and figures are portrayed, the expression of seasonal transitions strongly reflects Japanese views of nature, allowing viewers to sense the fusion of East Asian cultures.

The Mouri Museum holds a special exhibition "National Treasures" annually in autumn (late October to early December), during which the scroll can be viewed in its fully unrolled state. This display method, different from typical museum exhibitions, enables the viewing experience as Sesshu originally intended.

Surrounding Environment

The Mouri Museum is located in the cultural center of Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The museum itself utilizes part of the former Mouri family residence (Important Cultural Property) built in 1916, and the magnificent building showcasing the essence of modern Japanese architecture is also worth seeing.

The Mouri Gardens surrounding the museum is a designated National Place of Scenic Beauty covering approximately 84,000 square meters. Designed as a strolling garden with pond, seasonal flowers and trees are beautifully arranged around the central "Hyotan Pond." The spring cherry blossoms, early summer azaleas, and autumn foliage are particularly spectacular, allowing visitors to experience both Sesshu's Four Seasons Landscape Scroll and actual seasonal scenery.

Hofu City has excellent transportation access, with the museum about 6 minutes by bus or 20 minutes on foot from JR Hofu Station on the Sanyo Main Line. Nearby is Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, known as Japan's first Tenjin shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. The shrine and museum are about 10 minutes apart by car, creating a route where history and culture can be enjoyed in a single day.

Located in central Yamaguchi Prefecture, Hofu City is surrounded by historical sites including Hagi City (World Heritage castle town) and Yamaguchi City (Ruriko-ji Five-Story Pagoda). As a place associated with Sesshu, Yamaguchi City also has the site of Unkoku-an where Sesshu spent his final years, making it an ideal base for tracing Sesshu's footsteps.