The Tosa school of Japanese painting was founded in the early Muromachi period, and was devoted to yamato-e, paintings specializing in subject matter and techniques derived from ancient Japanese art, as opposed to schools influenced by Chinese art, notably the Kanō school (狩野派). Tosa school paintings are characterised by "areas of flat opaque colour enclosed by simple outlines, where drawing is precise and conventional", with many narrative subjects from Japanese literature and history. However, by the 17th century both Tosa and Kanō artists broadened their range, and the distinction between these and other schools became less clear.
Scene from a long narrative scroll retelling the history of a Buddhist monastery, by Tosa Mitsunobu (1434–1535)
Bamboo in the Four Seasons, Muromachi period (1392–1573) Attributed to Tosa Mitsunobu (1434–1535). Pair of six-panel folding screens; color, ink, and gold on paper; 174.3 × 381.6 cm
Illustration of the Genji Monogatari ch.42 – 匂宮 Niō no Miya ("The Perfumed Prince") Credited to Tosa Mitsuoki (1617–1691).
Yamato-e (大和絵) is a style of Japanese painting inspired by Tang dynasty paintings and fully developed by the late Heian period. It is considered the classical Japanese style. From the Muromachi period, the term yamato-e has been used to distinguish work from contemporary Chinese-style paintings kara-e (唐絵), which were inspired by Chinese Song and Yuan-era ink wash paintings.
Scene from The Tale of Genji by Tosa Mitsuoki, from the 17th century Tosa school revival of the style
Rinpa school version of yamato-e landscape style on a pair of screens by Tawaraya Sōtatsu, 17th century
Scene from the Genji Monogatari Emaki Emaki, 12th century, Tokugawa Art Museum
"Eastern House Chapter", another scene from the Genji Monogatari Emaki illustrated handscroll of The Tale of Genji