Southern Barbarians

This pair of six-panel screens, titled "Southern Barbarians," captures a vibrant moment in early 17th-century Japan, depicting the arrival of European traders and missionaries. The screens are a fascinating historical document, illustrating the Japanese perception of these newcomers, often referred to as "Nanbanjin" or "Southern Barbarians" because they arrived from the south. You can see the bustling activity of a port, with towering ships anchored offshore and foreign figures disembarking, their distinctive clothing and features immediately setting them apart. The artist uses rich colors and gold to highlight the exotic nature of the scene, drawing attention to the intricate details of both the Europeans' attire and the Japanese onlookers. This work provides a window into a period of intense cultural exchange, before Japan largely closed itself off to foreign influence.