Four Accomplishments 

Kanō Motonobu created this ink, color, and gold leaf on paper artwork that you see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Look closely at the pine tree; it isn't just a tree. It is a symbol of steadfastness and longevity that recurs in the art of many cultures. Consider, for example, how the motif of the "tree of life" is interwoven through ancient mythologies. We see it as a potent emblem of growth and connection in myriad forms, from the Norse Yggdrasil to the biblical Tree of Knowledge. Similarly, the symbolism of water, evident in the waterfalls of Motonobu’s landscape, flows through artistic expression from the earliest times. Water symbolizes purity and renewal. What compels the persistent recurrence of these symbols? It is as if the collective human psyche recognizes and responds to these images, imbuing them with layers of meaning that accumulate over centuries. This landscape isn't merely a scene; it's an echo of shared human experiences.