Leopard

A powerful leopard is depicted on a wide screen in an almost life-size form. It looks like it is ready to jump out of the picture.
The inscription on the upper part of the picture describes the following; Nishihara Ippo, a feudal retainer of the Yanagawa domain, requested a painter to paint the leopard, which was brought from Tsushima Island in 1828. The display of rare animals from foreign countries were greatly popular in Japan during that period. Therefore, his request might have been for the purpose of showing the picture of the foreign animal to his lord.
The picture is filled with great, curious energy that tries to capture every detail of the beast, such as the fine coat and even its lithe movement.