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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.
Center) Hanabusa Itcho / Left and right) Ko Sukoku / 3 hanging scrolls of Cherry blossoms, Waniguchi swallow, and Autumn leaves
The work in the center was pained by Hanabusa Itcho, and the works on the left and right were pained by Ko Sukoku, who studied under Sawaki Suushi, a disciple of Itcho.
Mori Sosen / Hirsute Raspberries and a monkey
Sosen, who excelled in painting monkeys, is said to have spent several years observing monkeys in the mountains and fields. This is a heartwarming piece depicting a monkey engrossed in eating Hirsute Raspberries.
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Tomita Keisen / Spring snow in the garden
A little snow has accumulated on the red and white plum blossoms and nandina. The plum blossoms make us feel the arrival of spring.
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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.
Kano Seisen’in / The carp climbing a waterfall
The splashes of water are expressed with a misting technique, creating a sense of rhythm on the screen.
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.
Hine Taizan / An Egret in a Lotus Pond
Taizan excelled at landscape painting, but he also captured the vivid figures of living creatures in his flower-and-bird paintings.
Maruyama Okyo / A heron with willow trees in the rain
The pale, light ink used in the painting creates the feeling of the humid atmosphere of a rainy day.
Hirowatari Ganpi（Kosyu）/ Mother and child cranes with pine trees
This work was exhibited at the "Cute Edo Paintings" exhibition held at the Fuchu Art Museum in 2013. The generous brushwork and soft colors create a heartwarming scene of the parent and child.
Kishi Renzan / Tiger roaring under the moon
The tiger painting by Renzan, the third generation of the Kishi school, gives the impression of tiger's solid frame under the cover of its fluffy fur.
Matumura Keibun / Willow and a bush warbler
It is painted in a single color of ink, but gives the feeling of early spring.
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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.
Kano Chikanobu / Sparrow and mayfly
Mayflies are used as a seasonal word to symbolize transience. The sight of a sparrow going after a mayfly caught in a spider's web could be seen as a symbol of the survival of the fittest.
Muromachi-Momoyama period / Plum and three wise monkeys
"The three wise monkeys" are a Japanese pictorial maxim, embodying the proverbial principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil (mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru)". This work was painted during the Muromachi period.
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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Yoshimura Kokei / 3 hanging scrolls of Cranes, a Turtle and Jurojin
Yoshimura Kokei, one of the Ten Excellent Painters of the Okyo School, is known for developing the more advanced style of Okyo's realism.
Hazama Seigai / Two hanging scrolls of a thousand Cranes and Turtles
Hazama Seigai is also known as the teacher of Matsuura Shodo, a Choshu clan patriot who graduated from Shokasonjuku Academy. This painting features numerous cranes and turtles.
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.
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.
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.
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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Kankeko Kinryo / Joyful sparrows, plum blossoms, and confederate roses
Kaneko Kinryo was skilled in flower-and-bird paintings in The Nanpin style of painting. The three sparrows have different, adorable expressions. This work was painted in 1794.
Yamamoto Baiitsu / Red peach blossoms with two swallows
Swallows migrate to Japan with the arrival of spring. In this work, they are depicted together with peach blossoms, creating a scent of spring on the screen.