An exhibition titled "Seeing the Historical Stage from the Shogun's Viewpoint" with the "Matsu-Kujaku-zu" panel paintings of pine trees and peacocks from the second room of Ohiroma inside Ninomaru Palace is being held at Nijo Castle in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. The paintings have been placed to be seen from the perspective of where the shogun would sit for the first time ever. Visitors were fascinated by the magnificent pine trees and elegant peacocks against the sparkling gold foil base.

The second room of Ohiroma is the place where Yoshinobu Tokugawa asked the opinions of feudal clans' senior statesmen about "Taiseihokan," or the return of political power to the Emperor. The 27 panel paintings were drawn by Tanyu Kano, and they were placed on three sides of the gallery after completion of work including partial exfoliation prevention.

The paintings have a bold composition with a total of three pine trees, one on each side, that reach the panels above the horizontal pieces of timber between the pillars. Six elegant peacocks standing at the base of the pine trees or hovering in the air are also arranged in the painting. "We hope to share the sensation of the shogun looked at and thought upon among historical scenes," said Naoko Matsumoto, a curator.

The exhibition will continue until October 24. There is 100 yen fee to enter the exhibition hall in addition to the admission fee for Nijo Castle.