The Narrow Road to Shu

The Narrow Roadway to Shu is one of the finest lacquered paintings by Shibata Zeshin which was created in 1877 during Japan's Meiji Period. Shibata Zeshin invented the technique of using flexible coloured lacquers (Urushi) on paper and created multiple high-quality paintings. The painting was executed as a hanging scroll and is often associated with the classical Chinese poem "Hard Roads to Shu ( Shu Dao Nan)" by Li Bai. As the painting is said to be a composition of the treacherous path in the mountains of the southern province of China – Shu, Szechuan. Adding to this, Shibata Zeshin gracefully adds the mist over a distant kingdom over the left side of the painting, creating a distant view over the mountains and its terrain. Zeshin creates a visual journey that evokes both endurance and quiet contemplation. As every element is carefully balanced, it invites viewers to pause and imagine the uncertainty one can face during their own journey through the mountains. Shibata Zeshin's work was deeply rooted in classical East Asian artistic traditions, having learned from exceptionally skilled masters. The painting also reflects the spirit of innovation which characterised the Meiji era. He used a muted and restrained colour palette with delicate application of lacquer to produce subtle variations in texture and light, allowing viewers to perceive a sense of depth that changes with the viewer's perspective. Just as the artist aimed to create a long-lived artwork which connects with viewers of every era.