Study of Coloring Methods in Ancient Eastern Paintings-with a focus on Sixteen Arhats from Shojuraigo-ji

1994 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 05451014
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Fine art history
• Research Institution: Tokyo National Museum
• Principal Investigator: MATSUBARA Shigeru Tokyo National Museum, Department of Japanese Fine Arts, Curator, 学芸部・美術課, 絵画室長 (50000352)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MURASHIGE Yasushi Waseda University, Department of Literature, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (40000319) ; MINATO Nobuyuki Tokyo National Museum, Department of Oriental Antiquities, Head Curator, 学芸部, 東洋課長 (80113421)
• Project Period (FY): 1993 – 1994
• Keywords: Reverse coloring / Sixteen Arhats / Shojuraigo-ji

Research Abstract

1) Continuing from the previous year, the classification of materials acquired at the time of the repair work on "Sixteen arhats from Shojuraigo-ji" (16 hanging scrolls, Tokyo National Museum collection) which are very important for the study of reverse coloring technique, the main subject matter of the present research, were carried out and completed. Of the photographic materials recording the both sides of the silk base in each stage of the repair work, 4x5 color transparencies and 35mm slides were duplicated for conservation of the original films.
2) Along with the classification of the research materials, meetings were held to analyze and discuss mainly the coloring techniques of "Sixteen arhats from Shojuraigo-ji" with the actual works at hand for comparison, inviting not only art historians but also conservation scientists and technicians.
3) Examined "Landscape screen" (jingo-ji) which was then under repair, and found out that reverse coloring is effectively used for this work. Also, each member carried out, according to his allotted task, a research of coloring of other works related to this research.
Materials related to the coloring of ancient paintings ( "Pure land of Amida" in Chion-in, ect.) in research institutions were collected, classified and compared.
5) Through the above reserch, collection of materials and comparative study, we had a basic conception of the pigments used for "Sixteen arhats from Shojuraigo-ji". We discovered that comparing with other Japanese works or Korean and Chinese paintings, the reverse coloring of "Sixteen arhats from Shojuraigo-ji" is exceptionally elaborate, that there are differences i the elaborateness among the 16 scrolls and on the Eighth Arhat and Ninth Arhat the reverse coloring was done most carefully.