Kanō Eitoku

Kanō Eitoku

Kanō Eitoku was a Japanese artist who lived from 1543 to 1590.  He was one of the most well-known artists to come from the Kanō school of painting. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period of general unity and prosperity, the main centers of power shifted from temple settings to the castles and mansions of the ruling families. This was a period of great art, and these structures were decorated with large paintings and screens that were predominantly created by artists from the Kanō school.

Kanō Eitoku was the grandson of Kanō Motonobu. Motonobu served as the official artist for the Ashikaga shogunate who was the head of the government at that time. It is likely that Kanō Eitoku’s first artistic endeavors as well as his artistic style came from his relationship with his grandfather and father. The Kanō school was centered on the Kanō family who produced artists in each succeeding generation. Even unrelated individuals sought to join into the family as a means of learning the trade of their art. The Kanō school lasted from the 14th to the 19th centuries. In the 18th century, it was the predominant art style in Japan. The Kanō family art style was greatly influenced by Chinese painting, which employed a calligraphy type approach to art, using a brush with ink and ink wash, as well as more detailed imagery, to depict landscapes. The main difference is that the Kanō school used brighter colors and dark outlines around its subjects. 

Kanō Eitoku was one of the most prominent artists in his day. He commonly received commission work from the leading families. As such, he was able to maintain a great deal of artistic influence keeping the prominence of his grandfather’s art school intact. Kanō Eitoku helped develop the monumental style of art, also called taiga, with quick brush strokes, and larger motifs.

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