PAINTING OF THE EDO PERIOD (1600-1868)

The long rule under the Tokugawa shoguns, called the Edo period, was a time of peace and prosperity in Japan. The resumption of a stable government stimulated the Japanese economy, and released a surge of creativity in the arts. There were more schools of painting active at this time than any other in Japanese history.
Many artists continued to receive training in the tradition of the Kano school, which since the time of its inception in the 15th century, had remained the official painting academy of the military rulers.

A new school developed called Rimpa that was inspired by the literary and pictorial themes of classical handscrolls. The ideas of yamato-e were reworked into a personal and more dynamic manner, and often rendered on a monumental scale.

 

The painting tradition called nanga (southern school painting) in Japan was the Japanese counterpart to Chinese literati painting. There was a revival of Chinese learning in Japan during the Edo period, and the Tokugawa government promoted the study of Confucianism among the feudal retainers who served them. Some Japanese became interested in other areas of Chinese culture as well, including literature, poetry, and the visual arts. Woodblock painting manuals, along with a few original Chinese paintings, were imported to Japan at this time, where a climate favorable to their appreciation had been created. These works were avidly collected and studied, supplying Japanese artists with new ideas and techniques.

 Another school of painting that evolved in the 18th century is the Maruyama school (sometimes called the "naturalistic" school) founded by Maruyama Okyo. Inspired by imported Western botanical studies, Okyo did many sketches and drawings from nature that are extremely detailed and realistic. His finished paintings exhibit a blend of traditional and western artistic styles.