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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 mice
The painting shows adorable and humorous depictions of food-hungry mice. Ishiko Yurin was active in the Nagoya art world.
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Late Edo and Meiji periods / 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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Sakakibara Shiho / Two sparrows
Two sparrows are enjoying a meal under gorgeously blooming plum trees. This work evokes the coming of spring.
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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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Kikuchi 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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Ishiko Yurin / Woodpecker in Autumn Mountain
This work vividly expresses the atmosphere of autumn. The delicately drawn painting is gorgeous and beautiful.
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Nakamura Gakuryo / Sweetfish
The painting style incorporates Yamato-e with early modern Western painting techniques, and delicately depicts a sweetfish.
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Hashimoto Gaho / Wild cows
It has the atmosphere of a truly modern Japanese painting, incorporating the perspective technique of Western painting. You can feel the so much distance of the landscape.
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Komuro Suiun / Japanese cormorant flapping in the moonlight
It depicts a Japanese cormorant spreading its wings and drying its wet feathers.
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Munakata Shiko / Carp
The calmly swimming carp, cool blue color, and folds on the fan surface give it a tasteful appearance.
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Kawabata Ryushi / Japanese crane
This work depicts a Japanese crane, a symbol of longevity. The use of blotting and dry strokes is superb.
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Nagai Ikka / Yatagarasu
This work was painted by Nagai Ikka, who was known as the crow doctor. The Yatagarasu is a three-legged crow that is the messenger of the Amaterasu Omikami. The way it flies through the light is reminiscent of the Chinese legend that the three-legged crow lives in the sun.
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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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Suda Kunitaro / Japanese crane and an oak tree
This is a heavy piece that is typical of Suda Kunitaro. This is a rare piece painted with colored lacquer on a ceramic panel.
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Kano Hogai / Tiger in a bamboo forest
A cute tiger seems to be shrugging its head under a bamboo grove swaying in the wind. Although the work follows the Kano school of tigers, it is fun to look at its humorous appearance without being scary.
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Murakami Kagaku / Mottled cow
Kagaku was selected for the 9th Bunten in 1915, and often painted pictures of oxen plowing during this time of year.
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Omura Taiun / Rice plants and a Sparrow
A song of a sparrow chirping beside the drooping ears of rice. It seems that people and sparrows alike are in the same spirit of welcoming the harvest season.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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