Who painted The Fury of Monk Raigō?

The Fury of Monk Raigō was painted by Kobayashi Kiyochika in 1900-01-01.

Where can I see The Fury of Monk Raigō?

The Fury of Monk Raigō is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Fury of Monk Raigō?

The Fury of Monk Raigō is associated with Japonisme.

Can I buy a print of The Fury of Monk Raigō?

Museum-quality prints of The Fury of Monk Raigō are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Fury of Monk Raigō

Kobayashi Kiyochika , 1900

The Fury of Monk Raigō is an unspecified painting by the Japonisme artist Kobayashi Kiyochika. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

No exhibition history beyond its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection is documented in the provided sources.

The Fury of Monk Raigō is a painting created by Kobayashi Kiyochika in 1900. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. The painting’s origins trace to Japan, and its date of creation is consistently recorded as 1900 across institutional records.

The Fury of Monk Raigō is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been accessioned as a painting by Kobayashi Kiyochika dated to 1900 and made in Japan. The work's documented institutional history centers on this single holding, with no additional provenance, ownership transfers, or prior collections recorded in the available sources.

No exhibition history beyond its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection is documented in the provided sources.

Overview

Kobayashi Kiyochika’s 1900 oil painting titled The Fury of Monk Raigō is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work captures a moment of heightened tension, focusing on a single figure whose posture and expression convey a sudden outburst of anger. The composition is framed by a backdrop of fire and smoke, intensifying the dramatic atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a monk named Raigō, rendered in a vivid green robe and white trousers. He is caught mid‑action, with his right leg lifted as if delivering a kick and his left arm thrust forward. His narrowed eyes and open mouth suggest a surge of fury, inviting speculation about the narrative that prompted such an emotional eruption.

Technique & Style

Kiyochika employs bold, sweeping brushstrokes that emphasize movement and kinetic energy. The palette relies on saturated greens, stark whites, and the warm reds and oranges of the surrounding flames, creating a stark contrast that heightens the sense of urgency. The painter’s handling of light and shadow contributes to a sense of depth, while the loose application of paint reinforces the scene’s volatility.

Context

Created during a period of rapid modernization in Japan, the work reflects both traditional religious iconography and the influence of Western painting techniques that Kiyochika assimilated. The depiction of a monk in a moment of violent emotion diverges from conventional serene representations, suggesting a broader cultural engagement with themes of inner conflict and societal change.