Noro Kaiseki Active Circa 1747-1828

depicting a scholar with acolyte crossing a bridge in an extensive mountainous landscape with a river flowing past cottages and pavilions, dotted with fishing boats, with an inscription which may be translated:



Far off peaks surround the verdant mountain beneath the azure heavens.  Forests spread out above the river and distant [?] Windblown mists fill the eyes and endless thoughts arise that follow the rays of the setting sun to boats returning home.  The sixty-eight-year-old elderly Kai [seki], bearing three seals: Konsai, [No]ro Ryunen in, Goshicho.  Written on the back of the painting: A genuine work of Daigoryu

Japanese Paintings from the Henricksen Collection, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University; Tyler Art Gallery, State University of New York, Oswego, 20th August 2005 - 5th March 2006, cat. no. 7, illustrated.

paper slightly toned, narrow vertical water-stain from upper edge through mountains to upper reach of river, a few scattered minor spots, scattered creases
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According to Dr. Sewall Oertling, Kaiseki has long been recognized as a major figure of the Nanga or Bunjinga schools, which were strongly influenced by Chinese literati paintings. He suggests that the present work may be the artist's finest painting in Western collections (op. cit. pp. 31-32). Kaiseki is known to have traveled in the Japanese mountains and has left many sketches from his journeys. The present work evokes a sense of grandeur and illustrates Kaiseki's fascination with the natural landscape and man's place within it, placing him firmly among painters of traditional Chinese-style literati painting.