Katsura Rikyu (E-88)

This Imperial villa, built during the 17th century, formerly belonged to the Hachijo-no-miya Family. This image shows the Shokin-tei teahouse and pond seen from Gepparo Pavillion. The panoramic 8×20 format allowed William to eliminate non-essentials elements and get closer to his subjects. The placement of the shoji screen in this composition creates a dynamic balance and an elegant ratio between the interior of the pavilion and the garden space outside, in which we can see the teahouse. The light in the shoji screen gives us a feeling of warmth.  When we see this image as a large 10-foot mural, which is nearly life size, it gives us the illusion that we are actually in this space.