Birds over the Rocks

Kanzan was born to a family of small hand drummers in noh plays. He studied under Hogai Kano and then Gaho Hashimoto. He entered the newly established Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1889 and later became assistant professor there. However, following Tenshin Okakura’s resignation as principal, he retired in 1898. He took part in the foundation of Nihon Bijutsuin with Taikan Yokoyama and others. He also participated in the establishment of the Saiko Inten in 1914. His works backed by brilliant techniques and a profound knowledge of the classics had a significant influence on the next generation.

The screen on the right portrays a projecting rock and hanging branches of autumnal foliage. The left screen shows a small rock and some birds. It is a daring composition with just that much portrayed on the huge screens. The shading of the rock on the right screen reflects the influence of Western art, which Kanzan learnt while studying in England. On the other hand, the expansive blank on the left screen follows the traditional spatial expression in Japanese art. The contrast with the three-dimensional right screen provides a sense of depth and the seabirds heading towards the distance as autumn deepens are depicted in a splendid way. The decorative gold background implies the influence of Edo-period Rimpa. Thus, between the end of the Meiji period and the beginning of the Taisho period, taking realistic expressions in Western painting into account, Kanzan studied Japanese classics further and produced many tasteful screens. This is a fine example of the charm of Kanzan’s art having reached maturity.

(dimensions)
each 168.0×363.0cm