YAMAGUCHI -- A painting by the Muromachi period monk and artist Sesshu has been discovered after its whereabouts were unknown for 84 years, the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum announced on Sept. 19.

Titled "Ho Kakei Sansui-zu," the painting possesses a style that is similar to that of the 12th to 13th century Chinese court painter Kakei. However, Sesshu managed to add his own style to the artwork as well, applying ink to a 30-centimeter by 30-centimeter piece of canvas and making use of diluted colors.

The artifact was kept in good condition, with one researcher commenting, "This is an important discovery which shines light on the road toward the national treasure painting, 'Shiki Sansui-zu' (Landscapes of the four seasons)."

The "Ho Kakei Sansui-zu" is one of Sesshu's 12 paintings in a series of artworks that imitated the style of Chinese artists. With this latest discovery, the whereabouts of seven of these paintings are now known -- with the other six paintings already having been designated as national important cultural properties.