Vegetable Nirvana

This work by Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) measures 182.4 cm high and 96.3 cm wide and is designated an Important Cultural Property. Wild plants and fruit are arranged in the manner of a nirvana painting, which depicts the death of the Buddha, and the work is said to be viewable as a kind of caricature.

Jakuchu is best known for colorful bird-and-flower paintings such as the "Colorful Realm of Living Beings" series, but he is also described as having opened new ground in ink painting. His style is said to be related to the ippin ("extraordinary") painting style of the late Ming dynasty in China.

In the image, large round vegetables, mushrooms and what look like fruit are scattered across the picture in nothing but ink tones. The charm of the piece lies in replacing the solemn conventions of a nirvana painting with everyday foods.