Paulownias and Chrysanthemums - Sakai Hōitsu

A two-panel screen design by Sakai Hōitsu, featuring paulownia branches and chrysanthemums set against a gold leaf background.

Sakai Hōitsu, a central figure of the Edo period Rinpa school, produced this work on a two-panel folding screen. The composition features a gnarled paulownia tree extending across the upper register, its branches laden with blue blossoms. Below, clusters of white and yellow chrysanthemums emerge from a green embankment, positioned alongside a stylised, flowing stream rendered in deep blue pigment. The background consists of gold leaf, which provides a reflective surface that interacts with the ambient light of the room.

Hōitsu was known for his revival of the Rinpa style, originally established by Tawaraya Sōtatsu and Ogata Kōrin. His approach combines decorative sensibilities with a keen observation of seasonal flora. The contrast between the metallic gold ground and the organic forms of the plants creates a sense of spatial ambiguity, a hallmark of the Rinpa aesthetic. The stream, depicted with rhythmic, swirling lines, guides the viewer's eye across the surface of the screen, connecting the disparate botanical elements.

This print captures the precise brushwork and colour application of the original screen. The paulownia leaves are painted with varied tones of green, while the chrysanthemums display a delicate layering of petals. The work reflects the Japanese appreciation for the changing seasons, specifically the transition between summer and autumn. By placing these plants against a gold background, Hōitsu elevates the subject matter, transforming a natural scene into a formalised, decorative arrangement. The composition remains balanced despite the asymmetry of the tree and the stream, demonstrating the technical control characteristic of Hōitsu's later career.