Shijō school

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The Shijō school (四条派 -ha), also known as the Maruyama or Ōkyo school, was a school of Japanese painting founded by Maruyama Goshun in the late 18th century, one of several that made up the larger Kyoto school. The school is named after the street in Kyoto where many major artists were based; Shijo literally translates to "fourth avenue."

Stylistically, the Shijō style can best be described as a synthesis of two rival styles of the time. Maruyama Ōkyo was an experienced and expert painter of sumi-e ink paintings, and accomplished a great degree of realism in his creations. Meanwhile, a number of artists, rebelling against Ōkyo's realism, formed the nanga (southern pictures) school, basing their style largely on the Southern school of Chinese painting. The artists of the Shijō school sought to reconcile the differences between these two styles, creating works that synthesized the best elements of both.

One of the most well-known Shijō artists in the West is Mori Sosen, who is known for his great number of paintings of monkeys. The school's style focuses on a Western-influenced realism, but achieved with traditional Japanese painting techniques.

[edit] Shijō artists of note

• Maruyama Goshun
• Maruyama Ōkyo
• Mori Sosen
• Kikuchi Yōsai
• Ohara Shoson (Koson)

[edit] References

• Munsterberg, Hugo (1957). "The Arts of Japan: An Illustrated History." Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company.