# Paulownias and Chrysanthemums

- By: Sakai Hōitsu (Japanese, 1761–1828)
- Date: early 1800s
- Medium: Two-panel folding screen; ink and color on gilded paper
- Classification: Painting
- Dimensions: Image: 152.7 x 154.9 cm (60 1/8 x 61 in.); Overall: 157.5 x 158.5 cm (62 x 62 3/8 in.)
- Culture: Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
- Credit line: Gift of the American Foundation for the Maud E. and Warren H. Corning Botanical Collection
- Museum: [Cleveland Museum of Art](https://clevelandart.org/art/1964.386)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1964.386/1964.386_web.jpg
- Who can see it: Little Ones profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

In this screen, Sakai Hōitsu expertly deployed a painting technique called “dripping-in” (tarashikomi). Ink and color dripped on the surface, and allowed to pool there, created the illusionistic effect of lichen-dotted tree bark and twisted chrysanthemum leaves. Paulownia and chrysanthemum are signifiers of late spring and early autumn as well as emblems of the Japanese imperial house. Paulownia also has medicinal properties and associations with fortitude, while chrysanthemum symbolizes good government.