Viewing Waterfall
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Ink |
| Current Location: | Nezu Museum in Tokyo, Japan |
| Location History: | Painted by Shingei Geiami in Kyoto around 1480, "Viewing a Waterfall" was passed among private collectors and tea masters before being acquired by Kaichirō Nezu Sr. in the early 20th century. The artwork has been housed in the Nezu Museum in Tokyo since 1940. |
Viewing Waterfall offers nature not only as a geographical but also as a metaphysical entity in which to contemplate spirituality and harmony. The large-scale waterfall that is depicted in the painting and marked by the flowing white space stands out as the main symbol of purity, rebirth, and perpetual flow of life. Massive mountains around the waterfall represent stability and force, whereas the presence of a miniature pavilion and human beings make one think of the smallness of humans in relation to their huge surroundings. Mists make the whole scene mysterious and add to the contemplative atmosphere of the picture. Expressive brushstrokes and modest ink technique of the artist correspond to the principles of the literati painting. The poem written on the upper part of the painting adds to the composition, and together with the painting, forms the unique artistic experience. This piece of art does not portray any particular landscape but shows its ideal version in order to encourage people to find harmony with nature.