The folding screen titled “Choju Kaboku Zu Byobu” by Ito Jakuchu in the Edo Period (Provided by Idemitsu Museum of Arts)

The stage is set for the homecoming of a massive collection of some of Japan's most notable paintings from the Edo Period (1603-1867).

The Idemitsu Museum of Arts in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward bought 190 artworks from the era on June 21, among them the folding screen "Choju Kaboku Zu Byobu" (Birds and animals in a flower garden) by famed artist Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800).

The Marunouchi district museum, which made the announcement June 24, is scheduled to display about 80 of the acquired works from autumn next year at a special event tentatively titled "The triumphant return home of glorious Edo paintings."

All the works were purchased from Etsuko and Joe Price, a married couple in the United States who are long-time art collectors, especially those made in Japan during the Edo Period.

The couple, whose collection under the Price foundation is well known, had been seeking a museum in Japan that would take over a portion of their properties.

The purchased works also include paintings by legendary artist Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795) and Rinpa school painter Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828).

The Prices often visited the museum and museum officials visited the couple in the United States to see their collection, which led to the museum's purchase of the works. The deal amount has not been released.

The special exhibition will take place from Sept. 19, 2020, to Dec. 20, 2020.