Lot 52: Nakai Ranko (1766-1830) Tiger and Dragon Edo period (1615-1868), early 19th century

Nakai Ranko (1766-1830)
Tiger and Dragon
Edo period (1615-1868), early 19th century
Pair of hanging scrolls, ink on silk; the right scroll with a dragon gradually emerging from billowing clouds and confronted by a snarling tiger walking out of a bamboo grove on the left scroll, signed Ranko utsusu and sealed
With wood tomobako
41 x 13 7/8in (104.2 x 35.2cm) (each)

Born in Osaka, Ranko was known as poet and tea master as well as a painter. Though his work has affinities with the Maruyama-Shijo school, he was not affiliated with any particular atelier. He is said to have been a student of Shitomi Kangetsu (1747-1797), who himself was considered rather eclectic in his style, studying under Tsukioka Settei, as well as espousing techniques found in ancient Chinese and Japanese painting.