Asian Art -- Japanese Painting

Philbrook's Japanese art collection, primarily paintings, were part of the famous Shin'enkan collection of Oklahoma oilman Joe D. Price. The paintings are in two formats, hanging scrolls and large folding screens (byobu). Price specialized in paintings of the Edo period (1615-1868), the time of isolation from foreign influences.

The oldest tradition of native Japanese painting was carried into the Edo period by the Tosa school. The Tosa style reached back to the Heian period of the 11th century, where it was used to illustrate literary and historical works. Conservative but colorful, it remained vital into the 19th century. Philbrook has an outstanding pair of scrolls from the Tosa school.

Two panel screen with Egrets and Willow, 18th Century
Kano Roei, Japanese
Watercolor, gold leaf, paper, wood, metal
Gift of Mrs. Joe D. Price
1966.27.4