Fierce Tiger

Takeuchi Seihō (1864-1942) was one of the leading painters of the Kyoto art school and is known for having trained many pupils. Despite the title Fierce Tiger, with its slightly open mouth and amusing look, this big cat does not seem so fierce. Indeed, as is clearly shown in the painting, Seihō described the tiger's gait as ""Gently treading, like a woman, with its paws angled inwards."" Just now, the tiger is intently looking up into the air and tilting its ears in different directions, as if homing in on something. Pouncing on some creature above its head, you can imagine it transforming, in the next instant, into a truly fierce tiger. Although the painting is done with relatively few detailing brushstrokes against fur rendered with inky blotches, you can sense the warmth and suppleness of the animal's body. In the moistness of its mouth and nose, you can almost hear it breathing. With his animal paintings Seihō first made a name for himself. His masterful techniques make this particular painting come alive. Later, when Seihō was a recognized master of his art, as a representative work,