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Early Modern Painting

Important Cultural Property

Anthology with Crane Design

by Tawaraya Sotatsu
Calligraphy by Hon'ami Koetsu

Japan, Momoyama Period, 17th century
Handscroll; ink and color on paper
H. 34.0 cm, W. 1356.0 cm
Kyoto National Museum (AK364)

This famous anthology combines some of the finest calligraphy of Hon'ami Koetsu with the brilliant painting of Tawaraya Sotatsu (active from 1602 to 1635).

The central design motif is of cranes, painted in gold and silver. Alone and in flocks, at rest and in flight, these cranes fill the entire length of the scroll. The brush-strokes are simple but the shape of the cranes is elegant. The superb handling of the limited design motif used in this anthology reveals the cutting-edge originality of Tawaraya Sotatsu.

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