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

Fukuda Heihachiro / Puppies
This was painted in 1925 when Heihachiro was 33 years old. You can almost hear the breathing of the two sleeping puppies.
Hashimoto Gaho / Baby leopard on a Tiger
A leopard frolicking by the water, riding on the back of a tiger. In ancient times, leopards were considered to be female tigers. This is an attractive work with humorous expressions.
Imao Keinen / Frog on a broken hat
A frog standing on a broken Kasa (hat). The work was a fresh depiction of an ordinary scene. The spatial composition using only ink is superb.
Honnyo / Dragon in clouds
This is an ink painting of a cloud and dragon by Honnyo, a priest of the jodo shinshu monks. It was painted in 1819 at the age of 44.
Sano Kosui / Small bird with plum blossoms
A bluebird intently pecks at plum blossoms swaying in the early spring breeze. This flower-and-bird painting evokes a sense of freshness.
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Kano Hogai / Chrysanthemum and butterfly
The minimalist brushstrokes create a splendid space. The box is inscribed by Honda Tenjyo, a Japanese painter who studied under Kano Hogai.
Nishimura Goun / Millet quail
A quail takes flight from a millet field nearing harvest. The contrast between the bold brushstrokes of the millet and the detailed drawing of the quail is striking.
Kawabata Gyokusho / Departing wild geese and arriving swallows
The wild geese leave for the north, replacing the swallows that arrive in Japan. This is a scene that symbolizes spring.
Matsumura Keibun / Two pigeons under a weeping cherry tree
Two pigeons pecking at food under weeping cherry trees. This work evokes the warm sunlight of spring.
Ike Taiga / Sparrow and bamboo
This is a sparrow painting by Ike Taiga, a literati painter of the mid-Edo period. The sparrow, which is believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune and luck, is depicted together with a bamboo, which symbolizes honesty because it stretches straight upward.
Tani Buncho / Two cats playing with butterflies
Two cats with comical expressions playing with butterflies. This work was painted in February 1836 when Buncho was 75 years old.
Nakabayashi Chikuto / Little bird on a branch
A small bird perched on a loose branch. This work shows the artist's unwavering brushwork and impressive artistic ability. Painted by Chikuto at the age of 73.