Tanomura ChokunyûJapanese, 1814–1907Orchids
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Orchids” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Minneapolis, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
In East Asia, the orchid appears frequently not just because of its beauty, but also for its cultural significance. In China, the flower was considered one of the four gentlemen (in Chinese, sijunzi)—along with bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum—that represented the noble virtues of true literati. The four plants also constituted the basis of art education: their simple forms allowed beginners to practice the fundamental strokes of painting. Here, Chokunyū represents orchids in just a few brushstrokes in varying degrees of ink wash.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Details
- Accession number
- 2013.29.323
In the catalog
Sources
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — public domain
