Gatai (painting-style), classified generally into Shin-style, Gyo-style and So-style is a basic style of painting. And it is the fundamental for studying Shoheki-ga (paintings on sliding or folding screens) in Momoyama and Edo period. The Hitsuyo or Gayo, such as Ma-yuan style, Hsia-kuei style, Mu-chi style and Yu-chien style, has been regarded as the model pattern of Suiboku Shoheki-ga in Muromachi period. Combined with school styles, Gatai influenced greatly the development of Shoheki-ga in Momoyama period. It should be noticed that Gatai formed the basis of the expression of individuality. It is supposed that Gatai came into existence at the last period of Muromachi. The necessity of Gatai was caused by the establishment of Kano-school and the leading activity of Kano Motonobu. Just as Shin-style in classical Rikka had decorated ceremonial drawing rooms, that in Shoheki-ga was used for decorating public drawing rooms as main halls of Shoin-style residences, and developed remarkably in combination with the technique of Kimpeki-ga (colourful paintings on gilded base). The change of Shoheki-ga from Muromachi period to Momoyama will be explained by grasping the difference between Hitsuyo and Gatai.
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