A succession of palace buildings climbs through the mountains across these two screens. Stairways and terraces connect the halls, while small groups of figures occupy the courtyards and interiors. On one screen, a horse stands before the central pavilion; on the other, visitors make their way towards a hall set high above the garden.

The title Teikan-zu, or “Imperial Mirror,” refers to images drawn from the histories of Chinese rulers, traditionally used to reflect on the conduct of government. Zaikin gives the setting an unusually strong presence. Fine lines pick out roof tiles, railings and patterned paving, then turn to the rough surfaces of rock and the branches of pine trees. Areas of open gold allow the densely worked buildings to be seen clearly across the full width of the pair.

Umeto Zaikin belonged to a Kyoto family of painters descended from the Hara school. Both screens are signed Zaikin and bear a red seal.