Sparrows plump with winter fat huddle together against the cold on a snow covered branch on this exquisite painting by Shirakura Niho enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Niho Ga Setsuen Kosuzume Zu. Ink, Gofun & Light color on Silk, in a silk border with sculpted bone rollers. The scroll is 41 x 197.5 cm (16-1/4 x 77-3/4 inches) and is in excellent condition.
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.
