Title: Shiki Sansui-zu Makimono (Four Seasons Landscape Scrolls), Circa 1640-1672. Two Handscrolls of Stunning Silk Landscapes with Blooming Trees, Flowers, and Various Birds, all Illuminated with a Gold Background and Clouds
Author: Attributed to Kano Tan'yu
Condition: Very Good
Two Early Edo Period, 17th century emakimono handscrolls produced on silk, dubbed Shiki Sansui-zu Makimono, or the Four Seasons Landscape Scrolls.
As the title would entail, both scrolls depict the changing of the four seasons, from Spring to Winter, and have been stunningly produced, with bright and vivid colors applied to the landscape trees, from the many flowering trees and plants, to the various hues and plumage of all of the birds, and the richness of the rivers, and even the snow brightens the scene. All these scenes and the entirety of the landscapes have been beautifully decorated and illuminated with gold backgrounds and shifting clouds.
Both paintings have been attributed to Kano Tan'yū (1602-1674), signed Tan'yusai hitsu, and with a gourd seal of Morinobu. Given the signing of Tan’yu, the paintings are therefore no older than 1640, as that is when he first took on the "artist name" of Tan'yū.
A painter from the Early Edo Period, Kano Tan’yu would be later known as the founder of the Kajibashi Kano School and was a native of Kyoto. He was Kano Takanobu's eldest son and Kano Eitoku's grandson, and at a young age went to Edo, and very quickly became the first official painter for the Tokugawa Shogonate. Although he was skilled in the grand and extravagant style of the Momoyama period vibrant colors and gold leaf, he also created a style of painting that was simple and elegant with monochrome ink paintings and softer compositions, building the foundation for the prosperity of the Edo Kano School. In 1662, he was appointed Hoin, the highest rank for a painter. Four years later, he was involved in the creation of a longevity portrait of Emperor Mizuo and was bestowed the seal of "Fudemine Daikoji" by the emperor.
The silk paintings have been laid down and bound in two scrolls for preservation, with a beautiful brocade decorated cover of green and criss-crossing green diamonds, and there are jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood, though one of them can detach if pulled. There is a wooden box to accompany both scrolls, preserving their contents.
Two brocade bound emakimono (picture scrolls) on silk, roughly 32.1 x 348 cm and 32.1 x 344 cm full size. The knobs are not included as part of the measurement.
These hand scrolls are in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the brocade fabric. There is very little wear or rubbing to the silk paintings, with only a few tiny spots of wear.