Artwork

The Beach at Sumiyoshi from the Tales of Ise

The Beach at Sumiyoshi from the Tales of Ise, by Tawaraya Sōtatsu, unspecified, 1634
The Beach at Sumiyoshi from the Tales of Ise, by Tawaraya Sōtatsu, unspecified, 1634

The Beach at Sumiyoshi from the Tales of Ise is an unspecified painting by Tawaraya Sōtatsu. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Beach at Sumiyoshi from the Tales of Ise is a 1634 painting by Tawaraya Sōtatsu, a Japanese artist associated with the Rinpa school.

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates a scene from the Tales of Ise, depicting three figures in formal attire seated under a pavilion, set against a serene coastal landscape. The scene conveys a sense of calm and tranquility.

Technique & Style

Sōtatsu employed the tarashikomi technique, applying multiple layers of paint to achieve a distinctive effect. The work features bold, flat colors and intricate patterns, characteristic of the Rinpa style.

History & Provenance

Created in 1634 by Sōtatsu, who collaborated with Hon'ami Kōetsu and produced notable works like the Wind God and Thunder God.

Artist & collection

Artist

Tawaraya Sōtatsu

Tawaraya Sōtatsu (俵屋 宗達; c. 1570 – c. 1640) was a Japanese furniture designer and painter of the Rinpa school. Sōtatsu is best known for his decorations of calligraphic works by his partner Hon'ami Kōetsu (1558–1637),…

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