High definition digital reproductions
- featured artworks from Kyoto

Important Cultural Property: Wind God and the Thunder God
Attributed to Ogata, Korin
Owned by Tokyo National Museum
Era: Edo Period, 18C
Style: Pair of two-fold screens, color on gold paper
Size: 164.5*182.4cm
[Credit] Image:TNM Image Archives / Source:http://TNMArchives.jp/

Wind God and the Thunder God: National Treasure
Wind God and Thunder God control the wind and thunder. In India, Wind God was believed to give fertility to every living creature. This piece has glittering gold leaves, a silver coating that has darkened over the years, and clouds painted with a unique ink technique. It looks as though both Wind and Thunder Gods, divine images of the power of nature, appear suddenly, out of nowhere. With striking color combination and well-balanced gold leaves, this mysterious piece shows an infinite depth of the space.

About the Artist:
Tawaraya, Sotatsu (unknown – 1643?)
Sotatsu is a painter who represents the early Edo Period. While his popularity and influence was great, his personal records are not well known. He worked on large-scale decorative pieces such as Wind God and the Thunder God, and produced many ink paintings. He was known as a top painter whose clients included members of the Imperial Family and famous cultural figures. His decorative and bold composition style became a new form of painting, which later influenced modern Japanese paintings.