Avalokitesvara with a Child on Clouds 

Yoshitani Kaho was a Nihonga (modern Japanese-style painting) artist who was born in Kanazawa. He studied under Chinese-influenced literati painter Kishinami Ryukei, from Sendai, and then followed Kishinami to the city before settling in Yokohama where his brother lived. After being commissioned by Kubosan Engakuji in Yokohama, a branch temple of Engakuji Temple in Kamakura, to make a painting of Nirvana, he came to know the successful Yokohama businessman Hara Tomitaro (Sankei). In addition to commissions for Buddhist paintings for local temples, he made copies of and conducted research into post-Heian Period Buddhist art, including many pieces from Sankei’s collection. In this way he was able to advance his research with the support of Sankei and other cultural, political and financial figures in Yokohama. This work showcases the results of that research, with Yoryu Kannon Bodhisattva, who gazes lovingly at a praying child, depicted with vivid colors and beautiful lines.
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)