Accession Number
1963/1.95

Title
House by the Bay

Artist(s)
Soga Shōhaku

Object Creation Date
18th century

Medium & Support
hanging scroll, ink on paper

Dimensions
48 7/8 in x 20 in (124.1 cm x 50.8 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
Soga Shōhaku was originally trained in the Kanō school, but is mostly known for his revival of Muromachi period (1333-1573) styles of ink painting that drew from Song (960-1279) and Ming dynasty (1368-1644) works that were imported from China at the time. The trope of the scholar in a wilderness retreat was adopted from Chinese painting, and the monochromatic ink used to depict the scene would have been understood as a continental Asian mode (kara-e, or "Chinese pictures". 

Physical Description
This hanging scroll depicts a scholar seated in a pavillion built into a mountainous landscape overlooking a bay. In the foreground, dark rocks rise up from the water to the right, while two large trees extend out over the water. Behind this is a series of five structures with a single figure inside, gazing out over the water. In the background, mist and mountains are suggested through the use of a lighter gray ink wash. 

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Japan
Landscapes
bays (bodies of water)
figures in landscape
fog
hanging scroll
hanging scrolls
houses
ink
ink wash (technique)
landscapes (environments)
mountains
trees
water