Paintings: Pre 1800

 Kano Eisen'in (1696-1731) Gibbons reaching for the moon

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PRICE : $4200  

ARTIST :
Kano Eisen'in Furunobu (1696-1731) was the son and pupil of Kano Chikanobu (1660-1728). He became the fourth generation head of the Kobikicho Kano, a position which was passed to him by his father. In 1711 at the tender age of 16 he was appointed an official artist of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was ordered by the emperor to copy the paintings in the Imperial collection and was also commissioned to paint folding screens for the emperor. His father Chikanobu had previously painted a screen to be given to a Korean emissary on command of the shogun.

AGE :
first half of the 18th century

SIZE :
The image measures 47'' by 20'' (120 by 50 cm). The scroll measures 82'' by 23'' (208 by 58 cm).

DESCRIPTION :
An Edo period Kano school painting depicting gibbons perched precariously on the side of a cliff. Mother and baby stretch their long arms covetously toward the moon while the upper monkey stares longingly at the moon's reflection in the pool far below. All are unable to see the true beauty of life even as they hold it in their hands. The most influential painter regarding the development of Japanese gibbon art was the Chinese Zen monk Muqi (c.1210-1275). Muqi's works were brought back to Japan by traveling Zen monks who had visited China, likely during the 14th or 15th centuries. Zen Buddhism and gibbon painting in Japan are closely linked and this is supported by the fact that the majority of Japanese gibbon paintings depict zen themes satirizing human folly. Gibbons reaching for the moon itself or its reflection alludes to a desire to possess that which cannot be used or the desire to obtain that which cannot be held. This painting is signed Furunobu 'Sha' which essentially means copied by Furunobu. This may well have been amongst the copied works of the Imperial collection. For another interesting example of a work of art being transmitted through the centuries, in the British Museum resides a handscroll which is based upon Sesshu Toyo's celebrated 'Landscape of the four seasons'. This handscroll, painted in 1810, bears inscriptions to the effect that the work is 'after Kano Eisen'in Furunobu', 'painted by Kano Seisen'in Osanobu', 'original artist Sesshu'.

TECHNIQUE :
ink and gold on silk

CONDITION :
Overall good condition. Light foxing is present. Previously the painting and mounting had sustained insect damage. This was re-backed and touched-up during its most recent restoration (likely mid 20th century). The painting is completely ready to be hung.