ARTIST : Yano Uzen Yoshikatsu (1760-1821) was the fifth head of the Yano School of Art. He was the son of Yano Sesso Yasuyoshi (1714-1777), the fourth head of the school. They saw themselves as continuing the style of the great master Sesshu Toyo, with Yoshikatsu even going so far as to use a seal which read ''The legitimate succesor to Sesshu''. The school was based in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu with the artists being officially employed by the local rulers.
AGE : Dated New Years Day of 1820
SIZE : The scroll measures 72'' by 13.5'' (183 by 34 cm). The image measures 37'' by 12'' (94 by 30 cm).
DESCRIPTION : A rare work by the fifth head of the Yano school of art, Yoshikatsu. It was painted with great vigor and intensity on the first day of the New Year of 1820. Sitting on a gnarled plum tree the crow projects an imperturbable aura and a deep sense of prescience, very much in keeping with a master approaching the end of his life.
TECHNIQUE : ink on paper
CONDITION : The work is in good condition. It has been remounted somewhat recently, presumably using the original Edo silk for the central mounting (chuberi) though replacing the tops and bottoms (joge) with new silk.
