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Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713) Kanzan and Jittoku
US$20,000 - US$25,000
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Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713)
Pair of hanging scrolls depicting the impish pair holding their attributes, a scroll and a broom; ink on silk; each signed Tsunenobu hitsu with red pot seal Tsunenobu
42 x 14in (106.7 x 35.6cm)
Footnotes
This pair of hanging scrolls is remarkably similar to a pair of paintings of Kanzan and Jittoku by Soga Shohaku (1730-1781) in the collection of Kosho-ji in Kyoto. The similarity between these works suggests there may be a common source.
According to legend, Kanzan (Ch. Hanshan) and Jittoku (Ch. Shide) were recluse monks living on Mount Tiantai in Zhejiang province, China. Kanzan holds a scroll, pointing to his poetic accomplishments, while Jittoku is shown with a broom, representing his role as a helper in the kitchen of the Zen temple Guoqingsi. These and other Chinese legendary figures were popular subjects among Kano School painters, whose training was based on Chinese ink painting traditions.
Kano Tsunenobu was the second head of the Kobikicho branch of the Kano School in Edo, one of the four Kano branches in direct service to the shogunate. They were the oku eshi, the highest ranking official painters. Tsunenobu was known as one of the more expressive and accomplished painters of the school and gained the honorary title Hogen in 1704 and Hoin in 1709.
























