Ink scroll painting
Japan, Edo period (1603-1868), 19th century
Attributed to WATANABE Kazan (1793-1841) – Japanese painter and statesman
Signature and seal seen with WATANABE Kazan
Box inscribed with commentary on the painting and its authenticity
Double box to protect the scroll and inscribed box
Dimensions: 194 x 44.7 cm
Good condition

This ink painting is somewhat different from the common style usually employed by WATANABE Kazan. Kazan is famous for his polychrome, detailed work but is also known for his watercolor/sumi paintings with plenty of brushstrokes, each one containing some form of energy. The bamboo appears as if it is blowing in the wind and behind the many leaves, a sparrow flies through the bamboo. The piece is signed by Kazan with a short inscription that it was possibly painted for someone who was part of the salon created by FUKUDA Hanko or one of the other art groups that existed during Kazan’s lifetime. The box contains a matching inscription from circa 1912 by either a collector or an authenticator describing the style and the brushwork done on the painting and the style being consistent to that of Kazan's work. The scroll comes with a double box to protect the main box from further damage.



Condition:

The scroll is in good condition; it is slightly creased and displays signs of age throughout the mounting and painting. The only significant wear is on the makiginu, the silk covering used to cover the back section of the scroll. The dimensions are 194 x 44.7 cm (length x width).



WATANABE Kazan (1793-1841)

Kazan was born as WATANABE Sadayasu, the son of an upper class samurai for the Tahara clan, a small clan now part of present-day Aichi prefecture, and developed his artistic talent from a young age. Kazan once had the opportunity to become the disciple of TANI Buncho and was able to improve his skills as an artist. However, due to his position in the clan, WATANABE Kazan was selected to become the Kar? (elder councilor) for the clan, which left little time for painting. During the 1830s, Kazan became a successful politician, implementing agricultural methods like using whale's oil as pesticide for rice and promoting the production of other grains. However, writings by Kazan that were seen as critical of the shogunate and promoting Western ideas were found in 1839, leading to his exile to Tahara, his home province. Kazan's disciple, FUKUDA Hanko, wanted to help him (since Kazan was living on the edge of poverty) and established an art salon to sell Kazan's paintings so that Kazan could use the money to buy food. The shogunate noticed the activity that was going on and placed Kazan under house arrest. Kazan felt this would further burden his clan and decided to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) in 1841. Kazan's adopted son, Shoka was not allowed to build a grave for Kazan and no grave existed until the fall of the shogunate in 1868. WATANABE Kazan was heavily influenced by Western art, creating his unique style with elements from both Japanese and European art.

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