A Sage with Tiger
1661
Meet the ultimate odd couple: a serene, bald-headed sage clutching a bamboo staff and a massive, spotted tiger that looks more like a giant leopard than a ferocious beast. Painted in 1661 by Kano Tan’yū, a child prodigy who became the official artist for Japan’s ruling Tokugawa shoguns, this hanging scroll showcases his mastery of bold brushstrokes. Since Japanese artists of this era rarely saw real tigers, Tan’yū likely based this creature on Chinese paintings or leopard skins, giving it those distinctive spots. The tiger’s tail loops playfully into the air, softening its presence and highlighting the peaceful coexistence between man and nature common in Zen art.
- Technique
- Ink wash painting
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