Orchids, Bamboo, and Brambles left of a pair, late 14th-early 15th century, Gyokuen Bonpō, 1348 - c. 1420, 35 5/16 × 12 1/2 in. (89.69 × 31.75 cm) (image)65 11/16 × 13 3/16 in. (166.85 × 33.5 cm) (mount, without roller), Ink on paper, Japan, 15th century, Epidendrum is a wild variety of orchid that grows in East Asia, where it is admired for its sweet fragrance and ability to grow even in low-quality soil. For this reason, orchids are said to be like ideal gentlemen, whose scholarly pursuits stand them in good stead even when the going is rough. In this painting, two clumps of fragrant orchids emerge from behind small boulders in the lower corner of each scroll. The orchids leaves compete with shoots of bamboo and brambles before breaking free, ribboning up and away across the surface of the paper.