Kano Hogai
Encyclopedia
was a 19th century Japanese painter of the Kanō school
. One of the last of the Kanō painters, Hōgai's works reflect the deep traditions of the school, but also at times show hints of experimentation with Western methods and styles. Like his predecessors, Hōgai painted a variety of subjects, but is perhaps most well-known for his paintings of falcons, and of dragons.
The son of the local daimyo's chief painter, he was sent at the age of 18 to Edo
to study painting formally. He would stay there for ten years, and study under Kanō Shōsen'in
and other great artists of the time. Hōgai would eventually be called upon for such esteemed commissions as ceiling paintings for Edo Castle
. He also received the honor of having some of his works displayed at the 1876 Paris International Exposition.
However, despite these honors, the economic turmoil created by the fall of the shogunate
in 1868 forced Hōgai to seek to support himself with income via more mundane methods. He worked casting iron, reclaiming land, and running a shop selling writing instruments. In 1877 Hōgai returned to Edo, now called Tokyo, and worked for the wealthy Shimazu clan
; this gave him the opportunity to study works by some of Japan's greatest painting masters, including Sesshū
and Sesson
.
In 1884, Hōgai attracted the attention of Ernest Fenollosa
, an art critic and collector from New England
, who befriended him and bought several of his paintings. Along with Fenollosa, Okakura Kakuzō
and Hashimoto Gahō
, Hōgai then took part in a Painting Appreciation Society (観画会, kangakai). The Society was created to draw attention to the traditional Japanese arts, particularly classical art of the Heian and Nara periods which was beginning to be seriously neglected, many works sold or even destroyed due to Japan's newfound interest in the West.
Kano school
The ' is one of the most famous schools of Japanese painting. The Kanō school of painting was the dominant style of painting until the Meiji period.It was founded by Kanō Masanobu , a contemporary of Sesshū and student of Shūbun...
. One of the last of the Kanō painters, Hōgai's works reflect the deep traditions of the school, but also at times show hints of experimentation with Western methods and styles. Like his predecessors, Hōgai painted a variety of subjects, but is perhaps most well-known for his paintings of falcons, and of dragons.
The son of the local daimyo's chief painter, he was sent at the age of 18 to Edo
Edo
, also romanized as Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo, and was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868...
to study painting formally. He would stay there for ten years, and study under Kanō Shōsen'in
Kano Shosenin
was a Japanese painter of the Kanō school. He was also known as Kanō Masanobu and Kamo Shōsen, and took the gō Soshōsei and Shōko.Shōsen'in studied in a studio in the Kobikichō section of Edo, under his father, Kanō Seisen.-References:...
and other great artists of the time. Hōgai would eventually be called upon for such esteemed commissions as ceiling paintings for Edo Castle
Edo Castle
, also known as , is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan. It is located in Chiyoda in Tokyo, then known as Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province. Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate here. It was the residence of the shogun and location of the shogunate, and also...
. He also received the honor of having some of his works displayed at the 1876 Paris International Exposition.
However, despite these honors, the economic turmoil created by the fall of the shogunate
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
in 1868 forced Hōgai to seek to support himself with income via more mundane methods. He worked casting iron, reclaiming land, and running a shop selling writing instruments. In 1877 Hōgai returned to Edo, now called Tokyo, and worked for the wealthy Shimazu clan
Shimazu clan
The were the daimyō of the Satsuma han, which spread over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga provinces in Japan.The Shimazu were identified as one of the tozama or outsider daimyō clans in contrast with the fudai or insider clans which were hereditary vassals or allies of the Tokugawa clan,The Shimazu were...
; this gave him the opportunity to study works by some of Japan's greatest painting masters, including Sesshū
Sesshu Toyo
was the most prominent Japanese master of ink and wash painting from the middle Muromachi period. He was born into the samurai Oda family , then brought up and educated to become a Rinzai Zen Buddhist priest...
and Sesson
Sesson Shukei
Sesson Shukei was a Japanese Zen monk and painter from the Muromachi period born in what is modern day Ibaragi Prefecture. His works are classic examples of Japanese ink painting which was imported via many artists from China ....
.
In 1884, Hōgai attracted the attention of Ernest Fenollosa
Ernest Fenollosa
Ernest Francisco Fenollosa was an American professor of philosophy and political economy at Tokyo Imperial University...
, an art critic and collector from New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, who befriended him and bought several of his paintings. Along with Fenollosa, Okakura Kakuzō
Okakura Kakuzo
was a Japanese scholar who contributed to the development of arts in Japan. Outside of Japan, he is chiefly remembered today as the author of The Book of Tea.-Biography:...
and Hashimoto Gahō
Hashimoto Gaho
was a Japanese painter, one of the last to paint in the style of the Kanō school.Born in Edo, he studied painting under Kanō Shōsen'in, and was influenced as well by the work of Kanō Hōgai. He created many works in the traditional style of the Kanō school, using color & gold, or otherwise...
, Hōgai then took part in a Painting Appreciation Society (観画会, kangakai). The Society was created to draw attention to the traditional Japanese arts, particularly classical art of the Heian and Nara periods which was beginning to be seriously neglected, many works sold or even destroyed due to Japan's newfound interest in the West.