Founding of the Nation
Kawamura Kiyoo Β· 1929
Why it's great
Gods and goddesses from Japanese legend stand in a misty sky above the sea, creating the islands of Japan with a jeweled spear. Kawamura Kiyoo painted this in a Western oil style, showing the old Shinto myth of the creation of Japan. The story says the god Izanagi and the goddess Izanami stirred the sea with a spear. It's a major painting from Japan's Meiji era.
Where to see it
π Guimet MuseumParis, France
Open in Maps βHang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Kawamura Kiyoo was a Japanese painter born in Edo in 1852. He studied Western-style painting in Italy and helped bring oil painting to Japan. He painted historical scenes and legends. He died in 1934.
