Rice Farming in the Four Seasons (Screens)

Farming scenes of the four seasons were a subject at which Kusumi Morikage excelled. Each screen of this work is 151 cm high and 347 cm wide, and it is designated an Important Cultural Property.

The stages of rice production are painted against the changing seasons. Rather than lining up each task mechanically, the painter blends them into natural landscape views, which is considered a distinctive feature.

The figures are praised for especially sharp, incisive brushwork, and even people not engaged in farm work are drawn with rich expression. The image shows one of the screens, with figures and what look like animals among hills, water and fields in soft ink tones.