Paintings and Calligraphy by Literati of Iga Ueno - Fifty-six artists

A six-panel folding screen featuring a collaborative collection of ink paintings and calligraphy by fifty-six Japanese literati artists from 1847.

This six-panel folding screen, or byobu, represents a collaborative effort by fifty-six literati artists from the Iga Ueno region of Japan. Created in 1847, the work functions as a collective anthology of the Bunjinga, or literati, tradition. The composition is a collage-like arrangement of various papers, including fan-shaped paintings, vertical scrolls, and rectangular sheets of calligraphy, all mounted onto the screen surface. This style of mounting, known as harimaze, allows for a diverse array of subjects to coexist within a single frame.

The imagery covers a wide range of traditional motifs. Viewers can identify depictions of flora, such as flowering branches and banana leaves, alongside fauna like fish and birds. Several panels feature landscape elements, including rocks and water, rendered with the characteristic ink-wash techniques of the period. The calligraphy varies in script style, reflecting the individual hands of the fifty-six contributors. Each piece of paper serves as an independent work, yet the collective assembly creates a unified visual rhythm across the six panels.

Bunjinga artists often sought to emulate the scholarly ideals of Chinese literati, prioritising personal expression and intellectual engagement over strict academic realism. The inclusion of fan paintings and poetic inscriptions suggests this screen was intended for a private, contemplative setting where a host could share these works with guests. The muted palette, dominated by ink tones with occasional touches of colour, maintains a sense of harmony despite the density of the information presented. This screen is a record of a specific cultural circle in Iga Ueno, documenting the social and artistic connections between these practitioners during the late Edo period. It remains a significant example of the collaborative spirit inherent in Japanese literati circles.