Photo= A long picturesque scroll titled "Shichinan Shichifuku Zukan" depicts happiness and disasters which comes to people (Jotenkaku Museum, Shokoku-ji Temple, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

An exhibition introducing the works of Okyo Maruyama (1733-1795), a painter in the mid-Edo Period, is being held in the Jotenkaku Museum at Shokoku-ji Temple in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. Approximately 100 pictures and historical materials, including the pictorial scrolls "Shichinan Shichifuku Zukan," or the Seven Misfortunes and Seven Fortunes, an Important Cultural Property, delight the eyes of visitors.

Okyo, who was born in the current Kameoka City, closely communicated with Buddhist priests at the Shokoku-ji Temple and left his artwork to the temple. This time, as the museum's 30th anniversary celebration, the exhibition introduces mainly the works of Okyo and his apprentices.

In the exhibition hall, pictures are lined up with an emphasis on drawings from nature. The Important Cultural Property, "Shichinan Shichifuku Zukan," comes in three volumes and is a long picturesque scroll with a length of 36 meters in total. The picture scroll minutely depicts scenes where some people suffer from natural or man-made disasters, and others enjoy long lives and happiness, shown through scenes such as a wedding. Also attracting attention are the Important Cultural Property "Peacocks and Peonies" and "Dai Bakufu-zu," or a great waterfall, which measures 3.6 meters in length.

The first period is until December 15. The second period is from December 21 to March 23 next year, during which a painting on a sliding door titled "Shokoku-ji Kaisan-do Fusuma-e" and other works will be on public display for the first time. There is an admission fee. For more information, call the museum at 075-241-0423 (Japanese language inquiries only).