Itsukushiima and Wakanoura
(late 17th century)
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Baillieu Myer AC and Sarah Myer, 2022
- Gallery location
- Special Exhibitions Gallery
Ground Level, NGV International
About this work
Itsukushima Shrine is located on Miyajima Island in the Inland Sea. When the tide is high, Itsukushima’s torii gate is surrounded by water and visitors pass through it by boat before arriving at a boardwalk raised over the water on stilts. In the screen we see pilgrims wearing splendid kimono promenading along the shrine’s many raised walkways and wealthy patrons being transported in palanquins. Various shops sell tea, umbrellas and kimono fabric, and, to the side of the shrine, grazing under pine trees, are Itsukushima’s iconic deer – the sacred messengers of the gods.
Wakanoura Shrine is located on the coastline south of Osaka and is famous for its connection to poetry. This screen depicts visitors disembarking from boats wearing their most gorgeous kimono, approaching the shrine through a torii gate and ascending a set of stairs. In and around the shrine is a vibrant scene of spring festivities that includes an archery competition, people carrying portable shrines, picnickers under cherry blossom trees, a festival kirin lion dog (kirin shishi) performing, and numerous samurai parading with billowing ceremonial horo balloons – fabric devices used for protection against arrows in battle – on their backs.
Artwork Details
Purchased with funds donated by Baillieu Myer AC and Sarah Myer, 2022
Ground Level, NGV International