Artist

Kanō Tanshin

Portrait of Kanō Tanshin
Portrait of Kanō Tanshin

Japanese, 1653–1718

Kanō Tanshin was a Japanese Kanō school artist. 2 works are cataloged here, principally at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Kanō Tanshin (Morimasa) (狩野 探信; 1653–1718) was a Japanese painter. He was the son of Kanō Tan'yū by his second wife and led the Kajibashi branch of the Kanō school after 1674. Stylistically, he had a Tosa-like approach (competing with the Tosa school), but also departed slightly from the imitative style of Kanō school masters.

This departure became a significant point of criticism in the rebellious anti-Kanō school movement of the late Edo period. Parallel anti-Kanō school artist Hanabusa Itchō commended Tanshin for his "rare talent," derived from his ability to use nature as a model. Itchō asserted that Tanshin became a true artist by capturing the spirit of the bamboo to convey an idea.

Works by Kanō Tanshin

Collections represented

Catalog records compiled from museum open-access collections; the artworks shown are in the public domain. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.