A rarely exhibited set of Japanese scroll paintings from the 1700s is coming to the District to mark the centennial of that nation’s gift of cherry blossom trees to the U.S. The 30-scroll set, created more than 250 years ago by artist Ito Jakuchu, portrays birds and flowers on a silk background. It has never before been shown as a whole outside of Japan. The scroll will go on display at the National Gallery of Art for four weeks, beginning Friday. — Courtney Zott
