Morning Glories - Suzuki Kiitsu (Edo period, early 19th century)

Suzuki Kiitsu

Ink, color, and gold leaf on paper

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tangled vines of deep indigo morning glories cascade across a luminous field of gold leaf, their heart-shaped leaves rendered in crisp, confident strokes of mineral green. Suzuki Kiitsu, a leading master of the Rinpa school, combined decorative abstraction with botanical precision, each blossom flattened into a jewel-like form against the shimmering void. Originally painted as a pair of six-panel folding screens, this design radiates the opulent elegance that defined Edo-period interiors, transforming a humble garden vine into a symbol of transient summer beauty. Its bold patterning and gilded luxury make it a striking, meditative centerpiece for any wall.