The Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum (Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture) features exhibits centered on the history and culture of the Uesugi clan, particularly 'Okitama and Yonezawa in the Edo Period,' and holds special exhibitions related to local history and art, such as the history of Okitama and Uesugi culture. For our 25th anniversary, we will hold the special exhibition 'Uesugi Kenshin and the Battles of Kawanakajima,' and from April 18 (Sat) to May 17 (Sun), 2026, we will display the National Treasure 'Uesugi version Rakuchu Rakugai-zu Byobu,' which has undergone its first restoration in 25 years.
About the 'Uesugi version Rakuchu Rakugai-zu Byobu' The 'Uesugi version Rakuchu Rakugai-zu Byobu' was painted by Kano Eitoku, a representative painter of the Momoyama period, and is said to have been presented by Oda Nobunaga to Uesugi Kenshin in 1574 (Tensho 2) to build friendly relations. It stands approximately 1.6 meters tall and 3.7 meters wide on each side. The right screen depicts eastern Kyoto, while the left screen depicts western Kyoto (inside and outside the capital). It vividly and meticulously captures the changing seasons and the lifestyles and customs of as many as 2,500 people living there. While folding screens depicting Kyoto became popular in the Edo period and over 100 survive today, this Uesugi version, passed down in the Uesugi family, is one of the earliest and is in excellent condition. It was designated as a National Treasure in 1995 (Heisei 7).
About the Restoration of the Folding Screen The folding screen underwent major restoration in 1999 and 2000. However, as over 25 years have passed, peeling and cracking of the paint layer became visible due to aging. Therefore, restoration work was carried out in FY2025 utilizing 'Government Crowdfunding®'.
The restoration was performed by cultural property restoration technicians, applying [treatment/glue] to the areas where the paint was peeling...
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- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event