Red and White Plum Blossoms
Ogata Kōrin · 1715
Why it's great
Two plum trees, one with red blossoms and one with white, stand on either side of a curving stream of dark swirling water, on a gold background. Ogata Kōrin made this pair of folding screens around 1715, and it is a national treasure of Japan. The stream in the middle looks like a decoration but is carefully designed. It's one of the most famous works of Japanese art.
Where to see it
📍 MOA Museum of ArtAtami, Japan
Open in Maps ↗Hang 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.
Ogata Kōrin was born in Kyoto into a rich family of fabric merchants and became one of Japan's greatest decorative painters. He founded the Rinpa style of bold shapes and gold leaf. His folding screens, such as 'Red and White Plum Blossoms', are national treasures. He died in Kyoto in 1716.
