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Modern
Asai Ryuto / Tiger howling under a pine tree
Though it is roaring towards the sky, what a troubled expression this tiger has. Contrary to the powerful brushstrokes of the pine trees and rocks, the tiger's body is soft and limp, giving it an almost plush toy-like cuteness.
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Kikuchi Hobun / Cherry blossoms and water birds
This painting depicts a peaceful nature scene that evokes the spring weather.
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Yamamoto Koitsu / Four seasons, Flowers and Birds, A pair of medium size six-panel folding screens
Yamamoto Koitsu was a central figure in The First Japanese Manufacturing and Trading Company (起立工商会社) and created many drafts for the company's production.
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Kimura Buzan / Figs and a rooster
Kimura Buzan (1876-1942) is still known as one of the best colorists at the Japan Art Institute. His style of painting is elaborate and elegant and has an air of serenity.
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Ikegami Shuho / Like snow
This is an emotional painting in which the falling cherry blossom petals are likened to snow.
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Yamaoka Tesshu / Beckoning cat and Calligraphy
Since Tesshu found profound meanings in cat's behavior, beckoning cats may have been somewhat close to him.
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Kobayakawa Shusei / Rising dragon
The dragon pushes through the dark rainclouds and climbs vigorously towards the light. The colors are so deep that it is hard to believe they were painted using only ink, and the splashes of water scattered throughout the painting give the picture a sense of dynamism.
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Watanabe Kaiko / Peacocks under the Pine, A half of four-panel folding screen
The Watanabe family, village headmen of Suga in Nishi Ward, Niigata City, were active over three generations which include Tanchi, the family's fifth generation and Kaiko's father who studied under Matsumura Keibun, the sixth generation Kaiko, and his son Etsuzan, the seventh generation.
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Konoshima Okoku / Deer playing in the snow
A herd of deer playing on a frozen, snowy mountain. This is a painting that fully demonstrates Okoku's artistic ability.
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Irie Hako / Longing for spring
A dog with the dignified appearance is lying down in a clear snowy landscape. The red plum blossoms give a subtle feeling of spring.
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Haruki Nanmei / A deer under the moon
Nanmei had a gentle personality and many patrons, and it is said that Yamauchi Yodo, the lord of the Tosa domain, favored Nanmei so much that he had him live next door to his villa. This work was painted when Nanmei was 81 years old.
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Yamamoto Shunkyo / A rare bird on the winter shore
This bird has a charming bright yellow belly. Grey wagtails have the habit of constantly shaking their tail feathers up and down. This is a scroll that conveys the artist's interest.
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Tokuoka Shinsen / Red carp
Watching carp makes you feel like time is flowing slowly. This piece also conveys the image of carp floating leisurely with the seaweed.
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Tamaoki Raiseki / The tiger watches vigilantly for a chance
This is a tiger painting by Tamaki Raiseki, an animal painter who was active from the Meiji to Showa periods. Raiseki studied animal painting on his own, and became recognized by the world for his tiger painting techniques.
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Konoshima Okoku / Snowy morning
Okoku, who studied under Imao Keinen, based his work on sketching and left many excellent animal paintings. This work is simple, yet evokes the clear air of early morning.
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Sugimoto Kenkichi / Discussion about the belly button
The three of them show their bellies to each other and have a discussion. If you look closely at its belly, it seems that the kappa has a navel. Is the kappa, a Japanese monster, a mammal? We do not know for sure, but the puzzled expressions on the frog and turtle's faces make you laugh.
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Kano Takanobu / Carp climbing up a waterfall
Kano Takanobu studied under Isen'in and worked on painting of the sliding screens of Edo Castle as an official painter for the Edo Shogunate. Compared to the precise expression of the carp, the depiction of the splashes of water is more stylized and unique.
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Painted by Sakai Sanryo, inscription by Tomiyasu Fusei / Kappa is happy
This is an adorable piece of art depicting a kappa (Japanese specter) holding a catfish and looking proud and happy. The artist, Sakai Sanryo, was a lifelong friend of Ogawa Usen.
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Okada Kakyo / Lions under the moon, A six-panel folding screen
Two lions gather under a thin moon like a cat's claw. This folding screen painting was painted by Okada Kakyo, a student of Japanese painter Kikkawa Reika.
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Kimura Buzan / Tree peony
Perhaps sparrows are standing in the snow. The cute sparrows attract me and make me smile.
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Kawanabe Kyosui / A flock of crows flying over the sea
This work is beautiful in its contrast between the powerful flock of crows and the gentle water surface. The crows are so vigorous that you can almost hear the sound of their wings and the water surface is calm, bathed in the morning sun. It is a work of outstanding skill.
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Hirafuku Suian / Two hanging scrolls of Carp and Waterfall
Hirafuku Suian, who placed great importance on sketching, was interested in the lives and customs of the Ainu people, and traveled around Hokkaido to create works with a Ainu theme.
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Kishi Chikudou / Frozen willows shining at sunrise
It beautifully expresses the icy cold scenery is slowly melting in the morning sun.
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Kishi Chikudou / Jicchosei / large hanging scroll
The Ten Longevity (Jicchosei) refers to the ten symbols of eternal youth and longevity: the sun, water, pine, crane, turtle, deer, and the herb of immortality, plus three of the following: mountain, cloud, moon, stone, and bamboo.
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Kano Tatsunobu / Falling cherry blossoms
This is a shikishi-sized piece depicting cherry blossoms falling. The fragile and neat appearance is wonderful.
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Furusawa Setsuden / Summer flowers, grass and insects
Many small insects are vividly depicted among the colorful plants. Furusawa Setsuden was a student of Taki Katei, and like his teacher, he specializes in painting flowers-and-birds.
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Ishiko Yurin / 2 Hanging scrolls of fruits and mouse
The painting depicts adorable and humorous depictions of food-hungry mice. Ishiko Yurin was active in the Nagoya art world.
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The late Edo period and the Meiji era / Shunga of fox spirits
This erotic painting from the late Edo period and the Meiji era is a humorous depiction of a man who, while half asleep, is completely deceived by some fox spirits.
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Kishi Chikudou / Reeds with fireflies
This work depicts fireflies resting on reeds, evoking the atmosphere of a summer night. The plainly painted water surface also has a cool feel to it.
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Kikutchi Hobun / Chestnuts and a bird in the rain
A small bird may be searching for a place to shelter from the heavy rain in a sudden shower. This is a work that is so realistic that you can even hear the sound of the rain.
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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.
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Tokuoka Shinsen / Puppy
The work depicting a puppy under a bamboo tree is called "Issho-zu(一笑図)", which expresses a wish for the prosperity of offspring.
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Hashimoto Gaho / Wild cows
It has the atmosphere of a truly modern Japanese painting, incorporating the expression of depth of Western painting.
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Suda Kunitaro / Crane and red plum (square drawing paper)
Suda Kunitaro was an unusual painter who studied aesthetics at Kyoto University and continued to create art while teaching there.
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