日本の動物画‐いきもののかたち‐ 江戸期の花鳥画などかわいい日本画のサイト - Arts -

Japanese arts of animals

Mori Sosen / Tiger in the snow
The tiger is drawn with ink, but it is full of realism and conveys a lively appearance. There is an inscription on the box by Japanese painter Kawamura Manshu.
Yoshimura Kokei / 3 Hanging scrolls of Hawk, Spider and Bear
This set of three hanging scrolls was created by Yoshimura Kokei, one of the Ten Excellent Painters of the Okyo School. The unusual combination of a bear, a hawk, and a spider, as well as the dignified atmosphere of this work make it an appealing piece.
Komai Genki / Two rabbits
This rabbit painting was done by Komai Genki, a disciple of Maruyama Okyo. It captures the characteristics of a rabbit in a simple way.
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late Edo Period / Secrets of annual events
The palm-sized Ehon of Shunga (erotic arts) that correspond to annual Japanese events such as Hinamatsuri, moon viewing, and mochi pounding.
Mori Sosen / Monkey parent and child
What on earth are they doing? It looks like the mother monkey is on guard, while the baby monkey is looking at her curiously.
Takahashi Kyoson / Landscapes of sansha (Three Shrines)
The painting depicts a deer, which is said to be a messenger of the gods, and a sacred mirror hanging from a tree, signifying that the place is shrouded in holiness and pure air.
Nomura Bunkyo / 5 Hanging scrolls of the five seasonal festivals
The theme is related to the five seasonal festivals in Japan, and the work subtly depicts the secret affairs of a man and a woman.
Ikegami Shuho / Dianthus
This is a refreshing and lovely hanging scroll of dianthus and butterflies. It is a classy piece with elegant brushwork.
Nojima Seiji / A butterfly and a carp
A rare combination of a butterfly and a carp. The distinction between underwater and aerial scenes creates an interesting contrast.
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Kano Kagenori / Three hanging scrolls of Takasago
This auspicious set of scrolls depicts cranes, turtles, a pine tree, and more, based on the theme of "Takasago," a familiar Noh play.
Yokoyama Seiki / A lesser cuckoo and the moon reflected on the surface of the water
Although the subject is simple, the depiction of the moonlight reflected on the water is innovative. It makes us feel even the ever-changing passage of time.
Takahashi Souzan, Maekawa Bunrei, Maekawa Koryo and other / Chinese zodiac
Each brush stroke has its own unique flavor, making this Chinese zodiac painting enjoyable to look at.
Kikuchi Yosai / A plum tree and a small bird
A single sparrow rests cutely on a plum branch which was painted with clarity with ink brushstrokes. This is a flower-and-bird painting by Yosai who excelled in historical paintings.
Ikai Shokoku / Battle of Ichi-no-Tani
Many artists have depicted Minamoto no Yoshitsune's "Battle of Ichi-no-Tani", but this work depicts the exact moment when the horse is dropped. The tension is conveyed from Yoshitsune's gaze as he watches the horse.
Mori Ippo / Snow on the willows and two crows
A snow-covered willow tree and two crows. A simple everyday scene depicted with an exquisite composition. This is a work with a unique elegance that is characteristic of Ippo, who based his work on sketching.
Attributed to Nagasawa Rosetsu, inscription by Minagawa Kien / Autumn cicada
The sound of cicadas chirping in autumn makes us feel the change of seasons.
Yoshimura Houryu / Tiger
Yoshimura Houryu, a disciple of Mori Jiho and a student of the Mori school of painting, excelled in animal paintings and played an active role as a leading figure in the Maruyama school. His smooth brushwork, which even captures the texture of fur, is impressive.
Kino Hironari / Wagtail
A single wagtail stands at the base of an old pine tree. It is said that wagtails sing around the time of "Hakuro" in the 24 solar terms, heralding the arrival of autumn. In this work, you can almost hear the wagtail's chirp in the silence.
Painted by Jikihara Gyokusei, inscription by Yamaguchi Seishi / School of fish
This is a painting by Yamaguchi Seishi, who built the golden age of "Hototogisu", and Jikihara Gyokusei, a Zen monk and Japanese painter. The "Yotaki" written in the inscription is a summer seasonal word and refers to a fishing method in which fish-attracting lights are lit at night and the fish that gather around the light are caught.
Kumagai Naohiko / An old pine tree in the morning glow , wide hanging scroll
This painting is impressive for its scorching morning glow and the powerful old pine tree. The unique appearance of the pine tree, which is likely a depiction of the real thing, conveys the artist's intense interest.
Ooide Toukou / A mantis on the willow takes a cicada
In China, there is a proverb that goes, "The mantis watches the cicada, and the sparrow is behind it." It is said that it means being distracted by immediate profits and not noticing the danger approaching from behind.
Ganku / Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils
At first glance, it looks like a landscape painting, but there is a small tiger depicted. Based on the Chinese legend "Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils", this painting depicts the scene of Zhou Chu killing the white-fronted tiger of Nanzan Mountain.
Watanabe Nangaku / Stream, Young sweetfish
The painting shows a school of sweetfish swimming with the current of the river, and the artist's skill in maximizing the image with minimal elements is superb. This is a work that only Nangaku, who excelled at painting scaled fish, could have created.
Yoshimura Houryu / A raccoon dog under the moon
The raccoon dog walks silently in the light of the hazy moon. The quiet autumn night scene is linked with the cold expression of the raccoon dog, and it is sure to catch your eye.