Calf

小牛
小牛
송아지

A black calf and green moso bamboo are painted on a gold ground. The decorative layout stands out all the more as the calf is depicted so realistically. The calf’s somewhat doleful look as if it is demanding attention may be recounting the artist’s state of mind towards his own child, who suffered a premature death. Combining reality and decorativeness, which are both elements of nihonga (Japanese-style painting), with a modern sensibility, this work was the first step towards an attempt which might be described a new Rimpa style. After this, Kangan produced monumental paintings with realistic compositions on sliding doors and folding screens such as Image of Immortality (1932), Snowscape (1933), and New Year’s Day (1934). Despite having a promising future, in 1936, he died of an illness at age forty-six.