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Tiger

	Object Type	18th Century Japanese Scroll
	Artist	Rosetsu
	Period	Edo (18th century)
	Materials	Light Color on Silk Scroll
	Creation Date	ca. 1785
	Dimensions	163.5 cm. x 131 cm. (64 3/8 in. x 51 5/8 in.)

Commentary

Here again we see a case where the artist takes a tiger skin and attempts to imagine the shape of the animal. Although artists depict the fur in a myriad different ways, it always appears natural and correct. It is only in the shape of the animal and the rounding of the head where artists must use their imagination, and therefore, produce their own individual insight. The tail of the tiger was probably painted first since the paint does not overlap any of the parts of the body; the white spot on the tail is just the color of the pure silk. The rocks are typical of Rosetsu's style with the use of soft ink wash - JDP A tiger stands against the wind on the rock. Ink painting techniques are masterfully incorporated in depicting mottled fur and clouds. The facial expression is close to the one at Saikõji in Matsue and Yakushiji in Nara, but contrasting to the famous playful one at Muryoji. This painting belonged to Nishihonganji previously, and was introduced in Kokka # 167 in 1904, and has been known as one of the masterpieces of Rosetsu. (Kono)