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Kano Eisho (mid 17c.) - Leaping Koi browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Paintings: Pre 1700: Item # 946756
zen-zen0 76-16 Tenno-cho, Okazaki, Sakkyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8335 075-771-9190 $1900 |
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| Leaping from the churning waters the Koi is about to undergo transformation into a dragon as it scales the waterfall. The painting is brushed in the finest traditions of the Kano school of art which was originally inspired by Chinese brushwork and subject matter. Here Eisho has favored an open, solitary waterfall contrasting dramatically with the roiling waters below. The Chinese tradition concerning the fish holds that every year thousands of Koi, a courageous fish with great perseverance and endurance, make the journey up the Dragon river. Against incredible odds, every few years one of the fish will swim to the head of the river and leap from the water. It was taught to boys that the koi which succeeded in leaping the waterfall would be transformed into a dragon; a metaphor for success against the odds. Whereas in China it was used primarily to represent the difficulties of the annual national examination for literary honors, in Japan the symbol retained its meaning though was adopted more widely throughout the arts and was used as more of a constant reminder of heroism and perseverance. Painted on silk with ink, the painting is in good condition. The Edo period mounting frames the work very nicely. The upper tassels or 'futai' have seen better days and are threatening to fall off the scroll. In other respects the mounting is in pretty good condition and the scroll hangs well. The image measures 40.5'' by 14.5'' (103 by 36.5 cm). The scroll measures 73.5'' by 18'' (187 by 45 cm). Relatively little is known about the artist, though he is noted as being active around the Kanei era (1624-1643). His real name was Makino Tatsuzo and he took the art name of Kano Eisho. This painting is signed Hokyo Eisho and sealed 'Maki-shi no in', or 'the seal of Mr. Maki'. The title of 'Hokyo' was bestowed by the Shogunate upon the artist and is the highest such title available, proceeding 'Hogan' and 'Hoin'. This title would infer that the work was painted toward the end of the artist's career. | ||||||||||
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