National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Shūbun is one of the most important painters in the middle Muromachi period, and his suiboku (water and sumi) landscapes became the archetypical style of painting at that time. This painting has been well known for many years as a piece of work traditionally believed to be Shūbun's, but there is no decisive evidence for that. The praise on the upper part of the painting is written by Jikuun Tōren (1383–1471) when he was in the position of rokuonsōroku (the chief priest of Rokuon Temple who has appointive power over the important positions of other temples). The year written in this praise, Kyōtoku 4 (1455) is the later limit of the year of production of the painting.
In the lower part of the picture, a multistoried building, bridge, and persons are painted with minute brushwork. In contrast, the towering palm trees and mountain are painted on a large scale on the right half of the picture. This is a skillful composition that makes the space in the painting appear spacious by leading the viewer's eyes upwards and by emphasizing the height and size of the mountain. Formerly owned by Yamamoto Tatsuo.