tougen-zu　桃源図

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: taoyuantu. Paintings depicting the Chinese story Peach Blossom Spring (Ch:Taohuayuanji, Jp:Toukagenki 桃花源記) made famous by the poet *Tou Enmei 陶淵明 (Ch: Tao Yuanming, 365-427). The fable describes a fisherman from Wuling (Jp: Buryou 武陵) who was boating along a stream when he saw a thick grove of fragrant peach trees. When he stopped to enjoy the blossoms, the fisherman discovered a mysterious spring and cave which he passed through to find an ideal place complete with cool ponds, bountiful fields and groves, farm animals, cheerful children and contented elders. The villagers were so isolated from contemporary affairs that they had yet to hear of the dynastic change from the Han to the Jin. After staying in this beautiful place for several days, the fisherman left with every intention of returning, but was never able to find the cave entrance again. The story's hold on the popular imagination made it a favorite subject of poets and painters in China and Japan. Paintings of "Peach Blossom Spring" typically show either the fisherman entering the peach tree-covered cave or scenes of the well-kept village and its inhabitants. Notable Japanese paintings of the former type include a hanging scroll by Mochizuki Gyokusen 望月玉川 (1693-1755) based on a Chinese printed book. Paintings of the later type include works by Gakuou 岳翁 (act. 1486-1514), Yosa Buson 与謝蕪村 (1716-84) and Matsumura Goushun 松村呉春 (1752-1811; Tooyama Kinenkan 遠山記念館).

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