Photo= Kuroshoin's wall and sliding door paintings of chrysanthemums and fans (in Nijo Castle 400th Anniversary Gallery at Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto)

An exhibition titled "Blooming Chrysanthemums and Fluttering Fans - Enjoying Fall in the Kuroshoin" has started at the "Nijo Castle 400th Anniversary Gallery" in Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, to display the wall and sliding door paintings of the Kuroshoin in Ninomaru Palace.

This is a series of exhibition projects to show the castle's wall and sliding door paintings, which are important cultural properties, to the public at different seasons. This time, the exhibits include a total of 23 paintings of the east, south, and west sides of the "Yon-no-ma" room of Kuroshoin and others.

Kuroshoin was a meeting room for audiences with important people such as court nobles, feudal lords related to the shogun, and so on. Its sliding door paintings are reportedly the work of Naonobu Kano. The paintings of the yon-no-ma were divided into upper and lower parts by "Nageshi," or a horizontal timber between pillars. The lower part consists of sliding door paintings of blooming white chrysanthemums. Fluttering fans are depicted on the upper part. The three-dimensionally drawn chrysanthemums evoke a peaceful autumn atmosphere. Each fan is vividly colored to brightly decorate the room.

The exhibition will continue until November 30. There are admission fees for both for the castle and the gallery. There will be a curator's explanation from 2:00 p.m. on October 25. For more information, call the castle office at 075-841-0096. Japanese language inquiries only.