Kano Akinobu “Image of Tenjin”

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IItem No.
Title	“Image of Tenjin”
Overall size
Artwork size
Artist	Kano Akinobu（1765〜1826）
Date Created	Late 18th〜early 19th century
Price	¥400,000（excluding tax ）

　This work depicts Sugawara Michizane (845-903), a nobleman of the Heian period. Michizane, who tragically demoted and ended his life, was feared as a man who would be cursed after his death, and was called “Tenjin-sama,” and became the object of religious worship.
　Against the backdrop of this growing faith, Tenjin paintings like this one were created.

　The upper part of the painting is accompanied by a waka poem said to have been written by Michizane.

　　The poem reads, “Kokoro tani makoto no michi ni kanahinaba inorasu totemo Kami ya mamoramu .”

　In this poem, Michizane’s sincerity is expressed as he explains, “If you are sincere in your heart and act in a reasonable manner, God will protect you even if you don’t pray much.

　Michizane is said to have loved plum blossoms throughout his life, and many statues of the god Tenjin are depicted with pine trees and plum blossoms.
　This work is an example of the so-called “Sokutai Tenjin Zo,” which depicts Michizane dressed in a sokutai, the formal dress of Heian aristocrats.
　Pine, bamboo, and plum trees, which grow green and beautifully blossom even in the coldest of winters, are called “three friends of the cold of the year,” and have been popular as a good-luck talisman for the New Year.
　This work, combining the auspicious pine, bamboo, and plum with the god of learning, Sugawara Michizane, is perfect for the New Year.
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　Kano Sogawa Akinobu (1765-1826) was a painter of the Edo Kano school and the Asakusa Saruyacho Daiji family, active in the late Edo period. Through his interactions with writers and artists, he incorporated various trends of the Edo painting world into the Edo Kano school and gained popularity.

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.