Pine, bamboo, and plum

Pine, bamboo, and plum trees are considered the “three friends of winter” in Japan. As plants that endure winter and revive at the beginning of spring, they are considered auspicious motifs and often combined in Japanese paintings. Here the pine and bamboo are pushed to the right and left corners, giving center stage to the plum tree, which sends out its first showy blossoms while the snow is still on the ground. Tipped with early buds, the trees’ sharply angled branches project across a stream, vigorously proclaiming the change of season.

Trained in the brush techniques of the conservative Kano painting school, Maruyama Okyo established an innovative style as founder of the Kyoto-based Maruyama-Shijo school. Naturalistic effects like the shading on the tree trunks are a hallmark of his style.