Dragon and Clouds

This work, full of verve, depicts a dragon moving wildly amongst rumbling clouds. Dark and light colored clouds create a fine contrast to the bare rocks. According to the first report of the history of Japanese paintings compiled by Eino Kano in 1678, it is necessary to learn the dragons’ form from the brush of Chen Rong, a Chinese master of dragon-paintings, because a dragon is imaginary. This work also reminds one of Chen Rong’s dragons in the dragon’s looks and facial expression. In 1937, when this work was released, Taikan became a member of the Imperial Arts Academy and received the first Order of Culture, indeed making him comparable to a rising dragon.