Hazy Moon through Pine Tree

ca.1913

Japanese, 1870 - 1931

Kakô's experience of seeing moonlit branches in a pine grove on the Kenninji Temple grounds inspired this painting. To capture the effect of moonlight on the boughs, he employed a wet brush, and the transition from light to dark suggests the subtle luminescence of the moon. The use of dry, brittle texture strokes for the pine needles along with skillful manipulation of wash reveal Kakô's combined heritage of literati and Maruyama and Shijô school traditions.

Ink on silk

80 1/2 x 22 in. (204.5 x 55.9cm)

Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2010.41.24

Not currently on view

Resources

Published ReferencesMichiyo, Morioka; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 156, illus. 35.

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