Fan picture Nō play "Kochō" 胡蝶 | Tosa Mitsubumi 土佐光文 | 1812-1879

The Tosa school is one of the great art institutions in Japan. It is stylistically linked to the oldest painting, the so-called yamato e. In contrast to the black and white ink painting that developed in Japan in the 15th century from Chinese painting, the Tosa school adheres to the unbroken colorfulness of court painting. The great era of Tosa painting was the 15th/16th century, but talented painters also emerged in later generations. Tosa Mitsubumi was the son of the outstanding Tosa Mitsuzane and, as the 23rd head of the school, is one of the notable masters of this painting dynasty. 

“Kochō” is the story of a butterfly spirit in the Noh play of the same name. A young woman tells a visiting priest that she is actually a butterfly, but unfortunately is not allowed to fly to the plum blossoms. The priest prays for her; he falls asleep and then sees the dance of the girl who has become a butterfly in his dream. The butterfly's costume corresponds to the costume of the court dance (bugaku) “Kochō”.