A powerful Meiji period image of a tiger in vivid color by Kikuchi Unsho depicted with pigment and ink on silk mounted in a superb satin frame with large ivory rollers enclosed in a period kiri-wood box. It is 100.5 x 241 cm (39-1/2 x 95 inches) and is in overall fine condition, with a few minor wrinkles. The ivory will be changed for export.
Kikuchi Unsho was born in Hiroshima in 1878, given name Yasutaro, initially studying the Kishi School of painting under his father. He then studied the Nanga School under Suzuki Gekkoku before moving to the tutelage of Kawabata Gyokusho in 1895. He was active in the Meiji to Taisho periods, best remembered for depictions of animals, the tiger being the best of his works.
