By TAKUMI FUJII/ Staff Writer
July 11, 2022 at 06:30 JST
NAGAHAMA, Shiga Prefecture--A silk painting dating to the time of Toyotomi Hideyori (1593-1615) will go on display at a special exhibition here following a painstaking restoration.
The image, which is mounted on a hanging scroll and features the son and designated successor of renowned warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, will go on show at the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum from July 16.
Measuring 74.5 centimeters and 38 cm, “Kenpon Chakushoku Toyotomi Hideyori-zo” (A colored image of Toyotomi Hideyori on silk) is owned by Yogenin temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Ward.
It was the family temple of Hideyori’s grandfather and warlord Asai Nagamasa. The museum was entrusted by the temple to preserve the precious artifact.
Hideyori felt compelled to commit ritual “seppuku” suicide after his forces were overwhelmed during the summer Siege of Osaka.
Museum officials said sharp creases in the painting had caused pigment to flake off and create cracks.
The restoration process involved cleaning the surface of the damaged painting with a gelatin solution to prevent further deterioration.
The creases were reinforced and repaired by applying strips of Japanese “washi” paper on the back of the painting.
But it was decided not to restore the colors in areas where pigment had flaked off so as to maintain the appeal of the original work.
“It is an important work not only with regard to the history of Japan, but also in terms of the history of art. Now that it can be put on display, we hope it will be seen by many people over future generations,” said curator Yasuaki Sakaguchi.
The special exhibition commemorating the 450th anniversary of Nagamasa’s death runs until Sept. 5. Nagamasa also had ties with Nagahama.
caption 5: The restored “Kenpon Chakushoku Toyotomi Hideyori-zo” (Provided by the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum)
1: The silk painting was damaged by horizontal creases before the restoration work. (Provided by the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum)
2: Restoration work reduces damage caused by the horizontal creases. (Provided by the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum)
3: Paint pigments had flaked off before the restoration. (Provided by the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum)
4: The restoration work involved a technique to stop paint pigments from flaking off. (Provided by the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum)
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