Liang Kai, China, The Poet Li Bai Chanting a Poem on a Stroll, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Tokyo National Museum, Important Cultural Property, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

LOS ANGELeS -This is the first major exhibition in the United States to explore the story of Chinese paintings in Japan over the course of six hundred years, featuring nearly forty masterpieces of the Tang (618–906), Song (960–1279), Yuan (1260–1368), and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. Most of these paintings, owned by Japanese museums, have never been displayed outside of Japan.

The exhibition demonstrates Japan’s role in preserving a large part of China’s cultural and artistic heritage during three key phases in Japanese history: the Kamakura and Muromachi period (14th–16th centuries); the Edo period (17th–19th centuries); and the Meiji, Taishô, and early Shôwa periods (early 20th century). Chinese paintings functioned in Japan as symbols of Chinese culture, indicators of social status, and models for styles of Japanese painting, such as Zen and Kanô School painting.

Yintuoluo, Hanshan and Shide. China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century. Hanging scroll; ink on paper, 13 13/16 × 19 9/16 in. (35.1 × 49.7 cm). Tokyo National, Museum. National Treasure, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

Traditionally attributed to Shike (active 10th century), Two Patriarchs Harmonizing their Minds, China, Southern Song dynasty, 13th century. One of a pair of hanging scrolls; ink on paper, 14 × 25 3/8 in. (35.6 × 64.4 cm)
. Tokyo National Museum, Important Cultural Property, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

Attributed to Muqi, Sparrows on Bamboo in the Rain, China, Southern Song or Yuan dynasty, 13th century. Hanging scroll; ink on paper
, 33 1/4 × 12 3/16 in. (84.5 × 30.9 cm),  Nezu Museum, Tokyo, Important Cultural Property, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

Attributed to Wang Wei (699–759), Fu Sheng Transmitting the Classic, China, Tang dynasty, 8th century. Handscroll, ink and colors on silk
, 10 × 17 5/8 in. (25.4 × 44.7 cm). Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Important Cultural Property, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

Ren Renfa (China, 1254–1327), Four Elegant Pastimes, China, Early Ming dynasty, 14–15th century.One of set of four hanging scrolls; ink and colors on silk, Image: 68 1/16 × 41 in. (172.8 × 104.2 cm), Tokyo National Museum,  image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

Chen You (China, active 15th century), Vegetables, China, Ming dynasty, 15th century. Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk, 42.1 × 80.9 cm (16 9/16 × 31 7/8 in.), Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century, A Copy of Lu Hong's Ten Views from a Thatched-roof Cottage. Handscroll; ink on paper. Ten paintings: 30.3 × 50.7 cm (11 7/8 × 20 in.) each, Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, image courtesy of TNM Image Archive.

Installation view of the exhibit "Chinese Paintings from Japanese Collections" at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 

Installation view of the exhibit "Chinese Paintings from Japanese Collections" at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.