Week 18

Discussion

From a hanging scroll by Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743). See discussion

Four Freedoms, Four Subjects

Shiitsu

Well known Chinese and Japanese painting subjects are orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum. These four are collectively known as shikunshi (four gentlemen) subjects. They are special because painting them in traditional ways requires the use of all of the basic sumi-e brush strokes. For that reason, they are among the first painting subjects taught to beginning sumi-e artists. Shikunshi subjects are often painted individually, but they can be painted all together in single compositions, too. Each of them is representative of one of the four seasons.

There are many other named, multi-subject compositions. Shiitsu (Four Freedoms from Misfortune) is one of them. The shiitsu subjects are orchid, lotus, camellia, and hollyhock. As with most of the multi-subject paintings, putting the various elements together in pleasing compositions is the artist's challenge. I have been unable to find all four of the shiitsu elements in paintings by classical masters, but see what you can do with the information and examples below.

Note: Those of you who try to look up shiitsu in advance are unlikely to be successful at finding anything. It is part of the special vocabulary known to Japanese artists and not usually included in general purpose resources.

Orchid

Orchids are members of the Orchidaceae family of flowering plants with around 28,000 species distributed among 763 genera. The species below is known in Japan as shunran (spring orchid).

Orchids are found all over the world, not just in the tropics that they are often associated with. These lady's slipper orchids are found in the Southern Appalachian mountains.

So is this Large Purple Fringed Orchid.

Here is an orchid blossom close-up.

Orchids produce seed pods that contain huge numbers of microscopic seeds.

Each of the tiny dots in the photo is a seed. A reason for their being so small is that they lack an endosperm, the part of the seed that contains nutrients. In order to germinate and grow a new orchid plant, seeds in the wild must form a symbiotic relationship with fungi that provide the necessary nutrients. Some specific orchid species require specific fungi in order to germinate.

Lotus

We studied lotus in week 6 this semester. Please review the material in Unit 6.1: About Lotus Plants.

Here are a few more pictures to enjoy.

Camellia

We studied lotus in week 3 this semester. Please review the material in Unit 3.1: About Camellias.

Here are a few more pictures to enjoy.

Hollyhock

We studied hollyhocks in week 17 this semester. Please review the material in Unit 17.1: About Hollyhocks.

Here are a few more pictures to enjoy.

Artwork

As noted at the beginning of this unit, I have been unable to find examples of shiitsu compositions executed by classical Japanese artists, so you are your own to come up with ideas independent of mine. Please try anyway. I have, however found some examples of artwork depicting at least some of the shiitsu subjects. One of the most noted is by ...

Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743)

Kenzan was the younger brother of Ogata Kōrin (1658 – 1716), the great Rinpa school master. Kenzan was one of Japan's finest potters. Talent ran strong in that family. The dish below with bamboo and poetry is an example of his work.

This bowl with moonflower and poem is another example.

Kenzan often collaborated with Kōrin on his designs. Late in his career, Kenzan turned increasingly to conventional painting. This maples and river painting of Kenzan's is part of a hanging scroll.

Just to show that this discussion of Kenzan isn't entirely divorced from this week's subject, this hollyhocks and plum 6-fold byōbu pair is also his.

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