{"title":"Kano Motonobu","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"bo-ya-plays-the-qin-as-zhong-ziqi-listens-kano-motonobu","title":"Bo Ya Plays the Qin as Zhong Ziqi Listens - Kano Motonobu","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic ink wash painting by Kano Motonobu depicting the legendary musician Bo Ya performing for his friend Zhong Ziqi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work depicts the classical Chinese narrative of the musician Bo Ya and his devoted listener, Zhong Ziqi. The scene captures a moment of quiet communion between the two figures, set against a backdrop of craggy rocks and a gnarled pine tree. Kano Motonobu, a central figure in the development of the Kano school, employs a style that synthesises Chinese ink wash techniques with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. The composition relies on the contrast between the solid, angular forms of the rock face and the softer, atmospheric treatment of the mist and distant slopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figures are rendered with precise, controlled brushwork, typical of the Kano school's approach to narrative painting. Bo Ya sits at his qin, a seven-stringed zither, while Zhong Ziqi and an attendant observe from a respectful distance. The pine tree, arching over the scene, provides a structural frame that draws the eye towards the musician. The use of ink wash allows for a subtle gradation of tone, creating a sense of depth and spatial recession without relying on rigid perspective. This technique evokes the quietude of the mountain setting, reflecting the theme of deep friendship and shared musical appreciation found in the original legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a representative piece from the Muromachi period, the painting demonstrates the transition towards a more decorative and accessible style of ink painting. The balanced arrangement of elements and the clarity of the narrative focus are hallmarks of Motonobu's output. The work remains a fine example of how traditional East Asian themes were interpreted through the lens of the Kano school, prioritising technical proficiency and compositional harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/farming-and-herding-buffalo-in-summer-kano-hideyori\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eFarming and Herding Buffalo in Summer - Kano Hideyori — Kanō Hideyori\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-four-accomplishments-kano-shoei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Four Accomplishments - Kano Shōei — Kanō Shōei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kanō Motonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810155598159,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810193183055,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810193215823,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810193248591,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810193281359,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810193314127,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810193346895,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810193379663,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810193412431,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810193445199,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810193477967,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810193510735,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Bo-Ya-Plays-the-Qin-as-Zhong-Ziqi-Listens_Poster_CompositorV1_1789677248629.jpg?v=1789700401"},{"product_id":"street-show-fan-painting-kano-motonobu","title":"Street Show (Fan Painting) - Kano Motonobu","description":"\u003cp\u003eA delicate ink-on-paper fan painting by Kano Motonobu, depicting a street performance with a monkey and onlookers in the Muromachi style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fan painting by Kano Motonobu captures a scene of street performance, a subject that reflects the social observations common in Muromachi period art. The composition is arranged within the curved format of a folding fan, a medium that requires the artist to balance the figures across a wide, shallow space. Motonobu, a central figure in the development of the Kano school, demonstrates his ability to render human activity with economy and precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scene depicts a small group of onlookers gathered to watch a monkey performer. The monkey, positioned near the centre, holds a staff, mimicking the movements of its handler. The figures are rendered with fluid, calligraphic brushwork, a hallmark of the Kano style that blends Chinese ink-wash techniques with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. The background is minimal, suggesting a grassy outdoor setting with a few sparse trees, which allows the viewer to focus on the interaction between the performer and the audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKano Motonobu was instrumental in establishing the professional workshop system that defined Japanese painting for centuries. His work often bridged the gap between the refined ink painting favoured by the elite and the more accessible subject matter of daily life. This piece is an example of how the Kano school adapted its technical rigour to the decorative arts. The fan format itself suggests a portable, intimate object, likely intended for personal enjoyment rather than formal display. The ink tones vary from deep, saturated blacks to lighter, diluted washes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere despite the lack of colour. The figures are depicted with a sense of gentle humour, capturing a fleeting moment of public entertainment with clarity and grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/farming-and-herding-buffalo-in-summer-kano-hideyori\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eFarming and Herding Buffalo in Summer - Kano Hideyori — Kanō Hideyori\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-four-accomplishments-kano-shoei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Four Accomplishments - Kano Shōei — Kanō Shōei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kanō Motonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810170147151,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810224902479,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810224935247,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810224968015,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810225000783,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810225033551,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810225066319,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810225099087,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810225131855,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810225164623,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810225197391,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810225230159,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Street-Show-Fan-Painting-_Poster_CompositorV1_1789677969998.jpg?v=1789700767"},{"product_id":"chinese-sage-kano-motonobu","title":"Chinese Sage - Kano Motonobu","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic sumi-e ink painting by Kano Motonobu, depicting a solitary sage in a quiet, contemplative moment by the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work by Kano Motonobu depicts a solitary figure, traditionally identified as a Chinese sage, seated by a water's edge. The composition is executed in the sumi-e style, utilising monochromatic ink washes to define form and atmosphere. The artist employs calligraphic brushwork to render the surrounding reeds and the texture of the sage's woven basket, creating a sense of quietude and isolation. The figure sits upon a rocky outcrop, holding a fishing rod, a common motif in East Asian painting representing the virtues of patience and detachment from worldly affairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKano Motonobu was a central figure in the development of the Kano school, which synthesised Chinese ink painting techniques with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. This particular piece is formatted as a fan painting, a popular medium for artists of the period to explore smaller, more intimate subjects. The economy of line and the strategic use of negative space are characteristic of Motonobu's approach, where the focus remains on the psychological state of the subject rather than excessive detail. The stark contrast between the dark, angular strokes of the vegetation and the softer, more fluid lines of the sage's robes demonstrates the technical control typical of the Kano lineage. This print captures the subtle tonal variations of the original ink, preserving the balance between the foreground elements and the suggested depth of the water. It provides an example of the Muromachi period's preference for themes derived from Zen philosophy and classical Chinese literature, presented through a refined, minimalist lens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/farming-and-herding-buffalo-in-summer-kano-hideyori\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eFarming and Herding Buffalo in Summer - Kano Hideyori — Kanō Hideyori\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-four-accomplishments-kano-shoei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Four Accomplishments - Kano Shōei — Kanō Shōei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kano Motonobu","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810239942991,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810245873999,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58810245906767,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810245939535,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810245972303,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810246005071,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810246037839,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810246070607,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810246103375,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58810246136143,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58810246168911,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58810246201679,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Chinese-Sage_Poster_CompositorV1_1789678087349.jpg?v=1789701766"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/collections\/kano-motonobu.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}