An intense mountainscape depicting one scene from the 10 ox-herding pictures by Shirakura Niho enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled and dated 12th month of 1921. Ink and pigment on silk in a green silk border with solid ivory Rollers (these will be changed if exporting). The scroll is 58.8 x 200.5 cm (23 x 79 inches) and is in overall excellent condition. In Zen’s famed 10 ox-herding pictures, the ox is enlightenment and the herder is you. The idea of the ox-herding pictures, attributed to 12th-century Chinese master Guo-an Shi-yuan, have mapped the path for Buddhist practitioners ever since, inspiring countless commentaries and new renderings. Shi-yuan wrote the poem:
Mounting the ox I meander home; The sound of my flute rides with the evening clouds. Each tune holds meaning profound; No need for words if you understand this song.
Shirakura Kinichiro (Niho or Jiho, Kanyu, 1896-1974) was born in Niigata, and initially was inducted into Nanga under Hatta Goro. Moving to Tokyo he began studies of Western oil painting following Ishii Hakutei. However, that was unfulfilling, and he soon moved to Kyoto, returning to the Nanga style under Tanabe Chikuson (also Tajika/Tachika Chikuson, 1864-1922). Following the death of Chikuson, he moved to Tokyo where he took up residence in the studio of Komura Suiun. He was consistently displayed at both the Teiten-Nitten National Exhibitions as well as the Nihon Nanga –In Ten. Like other individualistic artists of his generation, he was known for his very unique and easily discernible style and enjoyed immense popularity. He later changed his name to Kanyu. He was recognized in an English book published in 1958 as one of the most important artists to visit when in Japan.
