National Treasure Irises Screens: A Legacy of Poetic Allusion

A staple of late spring and early summer in flower gardens across Tokyo, the iris has been revered by Japanese artists, poets and literati for centuries. The Nezu Museum now celebrates the season with displays of some of Japan's most famed iris-themed paintings, including Edo-era master Ogata Korin's 'Kakitsubata-zu', designated a National Treasure and illustrating a section of the classic Heian-era work 'The Tales of Ise'. When visiting, make sure to also check out the museum garden with its gloriously blooming live irises.