Living art history in Kyoto

The true spirit of Kyoto lives not only in its historic streetscapes, but in the painted memories of the past, captured centuries ago by artists who imagined the city from above. Join Japanese art expert John McBride on a journey into the elegant world of Rakuchū-rakugai-zu: 16th- and 17th-century screen paintings that offer a richly detailed, bird’s-eye view of life in and around Kyoto.

Long before photography, these luminous screens depicted everything from temple rooftops to distant hills, bustling markets to sacred mountains – inviting us to see Kyoto not just as it is, but as it once was. With only around 80 surviving examples worldwide, they are rare and remarkable windows into the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.

Together, we’ll examine the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ extraordinary screen and walk the very streets they depict – tracing centuries-old rhythms that still shape Kyoto’s beauty today.

From temple precincts to serene gardens, architectural landmarks to vibrant shopping arcades, we’ll explore Kyoto through the lens of art history – meeting local curators and historians along the way.

This is not just a tour of Kyoto – it’s a way of seeing.

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