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White and Red Plum BlossomsWhite and Red Plum Blossoms © MOA Museum of Art

White and Red Plum Blossoms

Ogata Korin. c. 1710–1716 C.E. Ink, watercolor, and gold leaf on paper.

Curator Note

"The river of dreams. Ogata Korin was a bad boy of the merchant class who squandered his inheritance but founded the Rinpa school. This screen contrasts the gnarled, realistic trees with a flat, abstract, metallic river swirling in the center. It's a masterpiece of design and decorative abstraction."

Form

  • Format: Pair of two-fold folding screens (Byobu).
  • Composition: The stream cuts through the center, separating the trees.
  • Abstract/Realism: Trees are naturalistic (tarashikomi); River is abstract pattern.
  • Material: Ink, pigment, and gold leaf on paper.
  • Technique: Tarashikomi (dripping wet paint into wet paint) creates the tree bark texture.

Function

  • Room Divider: Used to divide space in a Japanese home.
  • Atmosphere: The gold leaf would reflect candlelight, illuminating the room.
  • Aesthetics: Example of Rinpa style (decorative, bold).
  • Symbolism: Spring (rebirth, youth vs. age).
  • Legacy: Influenced Klimt and Art Nouveau.

Content

  • Red Plum Tree: Youthful, energetic branches shooting up.
  • White Plum Tree: Old, gnarled trunk bowing down.
  • Stream: Stylized swirls in silver/indigo (creates movement).
  • Gold background: Defines the space as ethereal/timeless.
  • No ground plane: The trees float in gold.

Context

  • Edo Period: A time of peace and rise of the merchant class (Chonin).
  • Rinpa School: Named after Korin ("Rin" + "Pa" = School of Korin).
  • Luxury: Art for the wealthy merchants, not just samurai.
  • Ogata Korin: A textile designer background influenced his bold patterns.
  • Transformation: The image changes as you fold the screens.