A Journey of Taste: Freer and Japanese Scroll Mounting 

At times overlooked, the fabric mountings that surround East Asian paintings are often carefully calibrated additions that not only provide structural support but also enhance our appreciation of a work’s subject and meaning. In Japan, different mounting styles have evolved over time. Within this rich tradition, patrons, artists, scroll mounters, and collectors also developed individual styles, choosing the materials and formats to mount artworks according to their taste. As part of the National Museum of Asian Art’s centennial celebrations, this exhibition will explore a range of developments in this evolving tradition by highlighting the work of several generations of mounter-conservators at the museum.

The story begins with founder Charles Lang Freer, who developed a distinct personal aesthetic for remounting his East Asian paintings. Freer hired two brothers from a family of mounters in Kyoto, Japan, to undertake this project. Extant examples of their work as well as sample books and memorabilia from their travels across the United States will be on display. Subsequent generations of specialists at the museum have continued this evolving practice. We invite you to explore these mountings and their relationship not only to the artworks displayed in this exhibition but also to Chinese and Japanese works throughout the museum so that you can appreciate such artistry during future visits.

Video

Experience the living tradition of Japanese scroll mounting by watching NMAA conservators Jiro Ueda and Akiko Niwa rescue an ink painting of a plum tree by renowned Rinpa artist Sakai Hōitsu (1761–1828). With meticulous care, they remove the painting from its previous, poor-quality mounting, which damaged the artwork and visually overwhelmed the image. Working closely with curator Frank Feltens, they choose suitable fabrics, colors, and patterns to remount the painting, bringing it back to life and safeguarding it for the future.