Kano Masunobu “Moon-Catching Monkeys”

Enlarge image by clicking on the thumbnail.

IItem No.	J1290
Title	“Moon-Catching Monkeys”／ink and light color on silk
Overall size	158.0cm×21.7cm
Artwork size	92.3cm×18.4cm
Artist	Kano Masunobu
Date Created	1625～1694
Price	￥500,000（excluding tax）

　A group of gibbons are depicted in a row on a vertical screen. While following in the footsteps of Muqi’s monkey paintings, Masunobu has rendered them in a very gentle and endearing manner. He applies several layers of pale black ink to create the subtle three-dimensional effect of the monkeys’ bodies. In some parts, brush strokes are used to show the monkey’s fur. The ivy with autumn leaves on the right side of the painting adds color to the ink painting.

　Kano Masunobu(1625-1694) studied calligraphy under Shokado Shojo as a child and was adopted by Kano Tanyu, and later founded the Surugadai Kano family.
　He is known to have participated in the construction of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in the Jouou and Kanbun periods, and to have been given the name “Toun” (洞雲) by Ingen Ryuki . It is known that this work, which uses this name, was painted after 1655.

As an antique, it may have some scratches or blemishes. We recommend that you visit our store to check the condition.
If you wish, we will send you detailed photos of the item, so please feel free to contact us.