The art of a country serves as a reflection of its culture and civilization throughout different political, social, and artistic periods. Japan's hand-painted handscrolls, known as "Emakimono," are a prime example of this. These scrolls date back to the Nara period (710-794 AD) and are a testament to Japan's rich artistic history. The oldest known masterpiece of this art form dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries AD, during Japan's "Golden Age." Today, many of these scrolls can be found in museums and depict various aspects of Japanese daily life and landscapes. Emakimonos are made up of several interconnected scrolls that tell a story or narrative through a combination of images and text. One such scroll, "Famous Places of Edo Twelve Months/Heaven," is housed in the World Art Museum affiliated with the Mostazafan Foundation's Cultural Institute of Museums. This particular handscroll is a picture scroll without text and depicts famous buildings of the Edo period. Through research, it was discovered that this scroll belongs to the early Edo period and depicts a combination of five months of the year. However, it is part of a two-volume set that depicts the rest of the months of the year with images of famous temples and shrines of the Edo period. These buildings include Kameido Tenjin Shrine in the first month, Ōji Inari Shrine in the second month, Toizen Kan'ei-ji Temple in the third month, Zōjō-ji Temple in the fourth month, and Ryūsen-ji Temple in the fifth month. The study of this scroll provides insight into the age, subject matter, and techniques used in this type of artwork.
 
Introduction
Emakimono, also referred to as pictorial handscrolls are a type of scroll that originated in Japan and were created in the Yamato-e style of Japanese art. This style of horizontal narrative was specifically developed for Japanese courtiers and emerged in the 10th century AD, showcasing the distinct taste of Japanese art. Emakimono is made up of multiple interconnected scrolls and depicts a wide range of subjects, including Japanese daily life, the construction of temples and shrines, historical and political events, battles, and love stories.
       Emakimono presents a comprehensive art-historical account of the traditions of all social classes in Japan. These handscrolls were occasionally accompanied by text and images, while others only featured images. One such handscroll, titled "Famous Places of Edo Twelve Months/Heaven," is housed in The World Art Museum, a part of the Sardar Asemani Cultural Museum Complex, and has yet to be extensively studied. The nature of its cosmetic themes is not entirely clear, prompting an investigation into the approximate date and content.
       Previous studies on Emakimonos have primarily focused on introducing various types of handscrolls, such as the "Emaki Tsukumogami" handscroll. These studies have aimed to explore the cultural evolution of Japan by examining the progression of images depicted in handscrolls like "Shigisan Engi," "Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga," "Ban Dainagon," and "The Story of Heiji." Additionally, scholars have conducted comparative analyses and investigations on different types of handscrolls, including religious and narrative ones like "Ishiyama Dera Engi" and "Kasuga Gongen Genki."
 
Problem Statement
The primary concern of this study revolves around determining the age of this handscroll by analyzing its content and examining the changes in the architectural landscape of temples and buildings.
 
Need for Research 
Until now, there has been a lack of extensive research carried out on this specific piece, which holds great significance in the chronicles of Japanese history. Hence, given the thorough examination of previous research, it is indisputable that a careful investigation and thoughtful assessment of an artifact highlighting the opulent culture and art of a country were essential for the execution of this study.
 
Theoretical Basis
The Handscroll (Emakimono): Was a prominent feature of Yamato-e painting during the Heian period and the Kamakura period (1185-1333 AD). This artistic format was skillfully employed by courtiers to create impressive works. Emakimono authors hailed from various social classes, including monks, writers, and storytellers, and their stories not only revolved around the lives of nobles but also depicted the mundane lives of ordinary people.
       The Edo period: Spanned from 1615, following the downfall of the Toyotomi dynasty, until 1868, when power was restored to the emperor. During this time, the Tokugawa dynasty assumed control and relocated the capital to Edo, which is now known as Tokyo. Edo served as the hub for political and religious institutions affiliated with the Tokugawa dynasty. This era is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese art and culture, giving rise to renowned artistic styles such as the depiction of famous locations (Mishoe). These artworks took the form of single-plane paintings, or Emakimonos, varying in scale and sometimes presented in a single scroll or multiple scrolls.
       Buddhist Temples: In the middle of the 6th century AD, the basic principles of Buddhism were introduced to Japan from the Baekje Kingdom, which led to the introduction of the architecture of Buddhist temples. The construction of temples in Nara began in 710 AD, and the complex of temple buildings, along with the pagoda tower, became a tangible representation of religious thought. The Pagoda was initially used to consecrate the symbolic remains of the Buddha, while the Golden Hall served as the seat of the Buddha statue. However, over time, the Golden Hall building became central, as it was where most of the Buddhist festivals and religious ceremonies were held, and the pagoda lost its main position as a Buddha statue.
The Shinto Shrine: the Shinto is deeply rooted in animistic and shamanic practices, sharing many similarities with them. Its rituals revolve around the veneration of kami, the deities of nature. When Buddhism intersected with Shinto, the term "Shinto" came to represent "the way of the kami," distinguishing it from "the way of the Buddha" known as "Bodhsudo". These sacred shrines are constructed as spaces dedicated to the worship of kami, adhering to the principles of Shinto.
 
Research Method
The qualitative method was employed in this study, wherein data was gathered, examined, and analyzed through library research and archived-based research. The collection and analysis of data about the theoretical underpinnings and examined elements in the handscroll were conducted.
 
Findings 
Upon careful examination of the buildings depicted in each plan and the changes in the landscape of temples and castles, as well as the addition of buildings during various battles, it has been determined that this scroll belongs to the Edo period. The timeframe of the images portrayed in the Handscroll falls between the years 1698 and 1868 AD. The title of the scroll, "Famous places of Edo 12 months, heaven" (江都名所十二月画天), along with the presence of the character 天 meaning "heaven," suggests that this scroll is likely related to a two-volume collection that encompasses both heaven and earth. In ancient Japan, manuscripts or handscrolls were often categorized using different words such as "heaven, earth" or "top, middle, and bottom." Through this research, the temples and shrines depicted in each plan were identified individually by deciphering the golden strips that indicated the month and the abbreviated title of these locations. The order of the plans, according to the months, is as follows: Kameido Shrine in the first month, Oji Inari Shrine in the second month, Toizen Kaneiji Temple (located in Ueno) in the third month, Zojoji Temple (Midoriyama) in the fourth month, and Ryusenji Temple (Meguro) in the fifth month. This handscroll, measuring 26.5 cm in dimensions and painted on silk with a watercolor technique (similar to gouache), portrays temples and shrines that are meticulously depicted by the weather conditions corresponding to each month of the year.
 
Conclusion 
Handscrolls were a popular way of presenting historical narratives and the construction of temples and other places during the Edo period. The object under investigation depicts five months, three Buddhist temples, and two Shinto shrines. This handscroll appears to combine seasonal and calendar themes with the early modern flourishing Mishoe. Likely that later handscrolls in the series from the sixth to the twelfth month show the changing of the seasons. The architectural works depicted, along with other cosmetic elements, have been identified to some extent. These include the Uji shrine, the Ueno, Zojoji Temple, and Ryusenji Temple. All of these temples held a privileged religious position during the Tokugawa era. For example, the Oji shrine was a place of worship for the Tokugawa family, and the Zojoji temple was their family temple. Kaneiji Temple, with the strong and favorable support of the Tokugawa family, had become the general headquarters of Tendai. The popularity and respect for these places during the Edo period is further demonstrated by the destruction of Ryusenji Temple in 1615 AD and its reconstruction, supported by Shogun Tokugawa Imitsu in 1630 AD.