Overview
Colored Painting on Silk: Herding Scene is a masterpiece created by Li Di, a court painter of China during the Southern Song Dynasty. The work consists of two panels designated as National Treasures: Wind and Rain Herding (Riding Ox), which depicts figures rushing home in an impending storm; and Snowy Herding (Leading the Flute), which shows figures walking through the snow. This pair is highly regarded for its delicate brushwork and exceptional realism. The piece holds significant historical value, having been counted among the collection of the Ashikaga Shogunate in Japan.
Historical Background
The Southern Song Dynasty (late 12th century) was a period when naturalism reached its peak in Chinese painting history. Li Di was a prominent figure within the gakyō (the court-affiliated organization of painters) during this time, possessing unmatched skill in depicting animals and flowers.
This artwork is believed to have arrived in Japan during the Muromachi Period (1336–1573). It is even mentioned in the Kuntai Kan Sayūchōki, a record detailing the Ashikaga Shogunate’s collection. Today, it resides at the Yamato Bunka-kan in Nara City. Its existence represents an “ancient transmission” (kōwatari)—the essence of Southern Song painting lost in mainland China but carefully preserved and passed down in Japan—giving it extremely high historical value.
Features and Appeal
The greatest appeal of this work lies in the sense of immediacy and emotional depth created through minute detail.
- Exceptional Realism: The technique known as mōbori (hair carving) is used to meticulously render every strand of hair on the oxen, creating a vivid, lifelike texture.
- Dramatic Composition: The scene captures the moment when shepherds hold down their hats against the wind, and the oxen walk briskly. This composition vividly conveys the natural elements—the movement of rain or wind that seems ready to break at any moment.
- Li Di’s Signature: The Riding Ox panel features a dated signature in the upper left corner: “Qingyuan Dingsi Year, Painting by Li Di” (1197 AD). This serves as an invaluable standard reference for determining the creation date. Although the snowy panel lacks a signature, its style confirms it was painted by the same hand.
- Color Harmony: The subdued colors applied to the silk beautifully capture the tension hidden within the pastoral landscape, drawing the viewer into the scene.
Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)