Kose-no -Kanaoka

Background

Kose-no-Kanaoka was born circa 890. Ancestor of Kose school of painters.

Career

Kose-no-Kanaoka painted Kensho-no-soji (paper screens) of Shishiiden (main hall of Imperial Court). He excelled in painting horses. It was during his period that Japanese painting began to differ from Chinese style. His paintings of horses were so lifelike that a legend began to grow stating that a horse stepped out of one of his canvases and ate up grass of Ninnaji Temple.

Achievements

• Kose-no-Kanaoka founded the Kose School of Art, which is named for him. He made the first tonal gradation, and the first Buddha in crayonnage style.

Works

More photos

• Other Work

  • Kikuchi Yosai, Large Spirit of Kaneoka