Kanō Naganobu
Late Edo Period (19th century)
Homma Museum of Art Collection
Kanō Naganobu (1775-1828) was the eighth head of the Kobikichō Kanō school, hereditary painters in the employ of the Tokugawa Shogunate. His sobriquet was Isenin. An extremely hard worker, Kanō focused on reproductions, studying a great deal of Chinese and Japanese ancient painting. Kanō is considered the man who rejuvenated the Edo-era Kanō school of painting. In 1802, he was designated the second highest priestly rank in Buddhism, and in 1816 gained the highest rank.
This painting portrays bamboo growing directly in the center of the frame, with a squirrel climbing up the stalk. The bamboo represents peace and tranquility, and the squirrel represents the perpetuation of one’s descendants.