Lot 262: WATANABE KÔKAN (1878-1942) AND KISHI CHIKUDÔ (1826-97), TWO KAKEMONO

the first ink on silk, depicting mount Fuji, signed Painted by a drunk Kôkan and sealed, with fitted box inscribed A picture of mount Fuji and signed Painted by Watanabe Kôkan, the second, ink and colour on silk depicting two flying cranes, signed Kishi Chikudô, sealed Chikudô, with later box dated Shôwa 12 (1937) and signed by one of Chikudô's pupils.

Quantity: 2

50x 115 cm (kôkan) 49.5 x 199.5cm (chikudô)

Ellen P. Conant, Nihonga, transcending the past, 1995; Michiyo Morioka and Paul Berry, Modern masters of Kyoto, the transformation of Japanese painting traditions, 1999.

Watanabe Kôkan, a pupil of Morikawa Sôbun (1847-1902), exhibited at Bunten and was a member of the Japan Independent Painting Group (Nihon jiyû gadan).

Chikudô was trained in the Kanô tradition and later he studied under Kishi Renzan (1804-1859) and became the fourth generation head of the Kishi school, known for their depictions of tigers. According to Morioka, Chikudô, Mori Kansai (1814-94) and Kôno Bairei (1844-95) were considered the three great painters of Kyoto of their days. Like Kawabata Gyokushô (1842-1913, see lot 266), Chikudô also was interested in western painting techniques and considered shasei (sketching from life) an important aspect in painting. One of Chikudô's pupils was Nishimura Goun (1877-1938, see lot 267).