Monkeys Playing amongst Rocks and Trees (Screens)
巖樹遊猿図屏風
Shikibu Terutada · Muromachi period (16th century) · Folding screen
Detail of the work. Image: Source: ColBase (Work page (opens in a new tab)) (reduced in size on this site) Public Data License 2.0 of the Government of Japan (compatible with CC BY 4.0) (opens in a new tab) View larger
"Monkeys Playing amongst Rocks and Trees" by Shikibu Terutada is an Important Cultural Property: a Muromachi-period (16th century) screen of personified monkeys at play. It is held by the Kyoto National Museum.
- Artist
- Shikibu Terutada
- Date
- Muromachi period (16th century)
- Medium / format
- Folding screen
About this work
Each screen of this pair is 148.3 cm high, and the work is designated an Important Cultural Property. The expressions of the personified monkeys are described as endearing.
The artist's "Shikibu" seal was once read as "Ryukyo" and the artist was identified with Shokei or Chuan Shinko, but he was a different person. Nothing is known of his career. His period of activity can only be roughly estimated from the death year (1536) of Joan Ryusu, the 262nd abbot of Kennin-ji, who wrote an inscription on another painting by him, "Eight Views of Mt. Fuji."
The densely worked texture strokes for the rocks show the manner of the Kamakura school painters in the line of Shokei, and the tight composition also shows the influence of the Kano school. The image shows part of the screens, with many monkeys seated among rocks and trees by the water.
Where can I see it?
Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.
Museums that hold this work
- Kyoto National MuseumMuseum's page for this work (opens in a new tab)
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Accession no. A甲265
Plan your visit to Kyoto National Museum
Find places to stay, activities and rental cars for a visit to Kyoto National Museum, which holds "Monkeys Playing amongst Rocks and Trees (Screens)".
Frequently asked questions
- Who painted Monkeys Playing amongst Rocks and Trees (Screens), and when?
- Monkeys Playing amongst Rocks and Trees (Screens) is by Shikibu Terutada, made in Muromachi period (16th century). Medium: Folding screen.
- Where can I see Monkeys Playing amongst Rocks and Trees (Screens)?
- It is held by Kyoto National Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.
Sources and references
- ColBase (Kyoto National Museum) (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
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