Immortals - Hasegawa Sakon

A six-panel folding screen featuring Taoist immortals, rendered in fluid ink-wash style by Hasegawa Sakon.

This six-panel folding screen, attributed to Hasegawa Sakon, displays the characteristic ink-wash techniques of the early Edo period. The composition focuses on figures of Taoist immortals, rendered with fluid, calligraphic brushwork that defines the folds of their robes and their expressive features. The artist employs varying densities of ink to create depth, allowing the figures to emerge from a misty, atmospheric background.

The left panels remain largely empty, providing a sense of vast, quiet space that balances the activity of the figures on the right. Pine branches extend from the upper edge, framing the scene and grounding the subjects within a natural setting. The use of negative space is a deliberate choice, typical of the period, which encourages the viewer to contemplate the stillness surrounding the figures.

Hasegawa Sakon, associated with the Hasegawa school, followed the stylistic traditions established by Hasegawa Tōhaku. This work reflects the school's focus on monochrome ink painting, which prioritised the economy of line and the expressive potential of ink dilution. The figures are depicted with a sense of gentle movement, suggesting a narrative moment rather than a static portrait. The screen serves as an example of the aesthetic values of the time, where the interaction between ink, paper, and empty space formed the basis of visual communication. The muted palette and soft transitions between light and dark tones create a meditative quality, suitable for a quiet interior space. This print captures the subtle gradations of the original ink work, preserving the texture of the paper and the delicate brush strokes that define the composition.