Golden Waves and White Seagulls

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Golden Waves and White Seagulls

ca. 1918

Japanese, 1870 - 1931

Through his artistic imagination Kakô has transformed nature into a delightfully decorative image, disregarding Western perspective as well as technical polish. The rhythmically repeated brushwork that fills the large portion of the scroll is the signature element of Kakô's Taishô-period wave painting. Curvilinear forms in white and gold in the foreground represent patterns left on the sand by receding waves. This fleeting phenomenon fascinated this painter transfixed by capturing the ever-changing motion of water.

Ink and colors on beige-toned silk

84 3/4 x 21 3/4 in. (215.3 x 55.3cm)

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

2010.41.79

Not currently on view

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