Yamashiro-no-kuni Tofuku-ji (“Tofuku-ji Temple in Yamashiro Province”)

Enichi-san Tofuku-ji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple ranking fourth among the five major Zen temples in Kyoto. It was founded by Enni, also known as Shoichi Kokushi. This painting depicts a roofed bridge across the gorge between the Buddha Hall and the Kaizan-do Hall. The structure has a balcony projecting over the gorge in the center. Under the bridge is the Sengyokukan gorge, which is known as a unique spot of spectacular views in Kyoto, with many maple trees whose leaves are beautifully colored at the end of fall. In this painting, heavy rain is beating down on the bridge in a strong wind. The depiction of the rain is highly skillful.

Tanba-no-kuni Takao (“Takao in Tanba Province”)

Jingo-ji Temple, located in Umegahata-Takao-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, was founded by Wake no Kiyomaro. With the Kiyotaki River flowing nearby, the temple is a famous spot for viewing colored autumnal leaves. The surrounding area is also home to many other renowned temples, including Toganoo-san Kosan-ji Temple founded by the Venerable Myoe. This painting is believed to depict the landscape of Takao, which is as famous for its beautiful autumnal foliage as Tatsuta in Nara, with crimson leaves and the Kiyotaki River. It is composed mainly of autumnal foliage on both sides and a bridge with giboshi (round ornamental finials) on its railing in the center, representing the tranquility of the mountainous area in a masterly manner.

Musashi-no-kuni Hagi-dera (“Hagi-dera Temple in Musashi Province”)

In addition to several famous autumnal foliage viewing spots, such as Kongo-ji Temple in Takinogawa, Edo (present-day Tokyo) was also home to a number of famous spots for enjoying a view of hagi (Japanese clover) flowers, including Kameido Tenjin Shrine and Ryugen-ji Temple in Kameido, Hoon-ji Temple in Honjo, and Renge-ji Temple in Terajima. Among them, Ryugen-ji Temple (commonly called “Hagi-dera”), located in 3-chome, Kameido, Koto-ku, was entirely filled with hagi bushes, from its gate to the living quarters, attracting many visitors on the autumnal equinox to enjoy viewing their flowers.

Yamato-no-kuni Tatsuta (“Tatsuta in Yamato Province”)

Ikaruga Town, Ikoma County, Nara Prefecture, with Horyu-ji Temple in the northern part of the town, is famous for its beautiful landscape of colored autumnal foliage. A river flows there, called the Ikoma River upstream, which joins the Yamato River downstream from Tatsuta. Ancient people credited autumnal foliage to Princess Tatsuta, a female deity of fall in the western part of Nara. She was a favorite motif of waka poems, including a famous one in the Shin Kokin Wakashu, a collection of waka poems compiled in the early 13th century, that reads: “Princess Tatsuta, mourning the passing of fall in the autumnal wind, pours a crimson rain on people’s sleeves.” The mountain depicted at a distance is Mount Tatsuta, which is located to the south of Mount Shigi.

Omi-no-kuni Ishiyama-dera (“Ishiyama-dera Temple in Omi Province”)

The entire area of present-day Shiga Prefecture once constituted Omi Province. Lake Biwa is called as such because it is shaped like a biwa (an East Asian lute) and sharply narrows between Katata and Seta. The Seta River flows out from the southern end of the lake, which this painting depicts with a bridge called the “Karahashi (or Nagahashi)” of Seta crossing it. Depicted in the mountain seen far behind the bridge is Ishiyama-dera Temple, where Murasaki Shikibu is believed to have started writing The Tale of Genji. The painting harmoniously represents the lake with sail boats coming and going, and a distant view of the temple.

Tango-no-kuni Amanohashidate (“Amanohashidate in Tango Province”)

Amanohashidate is a sandbar projecting from the Yosa Peninsula into Miyazu Bay in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is known for the beauty of its white sand and green pines, and is credited as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan along with Itsukushima and Matsushima. Its scenery is also depicted in a National Treasure painting by Sesshu. This sandbar, about 3.6 km long and 20 to 170 m wide, forms a typical lagoon (a kind of relict sea lake) called “Yosa-no-umi,” whose extensive surface provides a relaxing atmosphere.

Yamato-no-kuni Kongo-san (“Mount Kongo in Yamato Province”)

Mount Kongo, at an elevation of 1,125 m, is the main peak of a mountain range formed with undulating strata located on the border between Osaka and Nara prefectures. It is to the south of Mount Katsuragi and is near to Wakayama Prefecture. Its natural beauty has made it a popular resort in the Kansai region. In this painting, the skillfully depicted mountains blend together harmoniously, adding a feeling of tranquility to the houses at their feet.

Mimasaka-no-kuni Kume-no-iwabashi (“Kume-no-iwabashi Bridge in Mimasaka Province”)

Kume is located in the southwest of Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, where a mountain called “Sarayama” is believed to have existed. Kume was a popular place that often appears in waka poems. According to legend, Kume-no-iwabashi is a mythical bridge that En no Gyoja tried to have a mountain deity build between Mount Katsuragi in Nara and Mount Kinpu in Yoshino. The bridge depicted in this painting is thought to cross a gap between rocks in Kume, Mimasaka Province. The distant mountains are painted faintly to give the impression of the depth of the mountains, representing the deep valley skillfully. The figures also look as if they are actually living in the painting.

Harima-no-kuni Maiko-no-hama (“Maiko-no-hama in Harima Province”)

Harima Province corresponds to the southwestern part of present-day Hyogo Prefecture excluding Awaji Island. Maiko-no-hama, located in the southeastern end of Akashi County (in present-day Tarumi-ku, Kobe City), is a beach on the Akashi Straits at the foot of Mount Rokko in the east. This approximately 1.5-kilometer beach leads to Harima-ura Bay in the east and borders Akashi in the west. The white sand of the beach has been formed by granite in the mountains behind the beach being eroded and flowing down towards the sea. Since ancient times, this spot has been famous for the scenic beauty of its white sand and green pine leaves, especially the thick foliage of old pines.