Takamori Suigan (1847 - 1917) was a nanga artist born in Chōnan, a town in the Chōsei District of Chiba Prefecture, and was active during the Meiji and Taishō periods. He moved to Edo (present-day Tokyo) at a young age, where he studied Confucian philosophy and calligraphy. At 17, he began studying painting under Yamamoto Kinkoku, a pupil of Watanabe Kazan. Suigan composed his own poems, and inscribed them onto his works, creating works in this way as he toured throughout Japan with Tokyo as his base. He was also deeply knowledgeable about judging painting and calligraphy, and his essays on works from the Edo period are held in high regard. In his later years, he was regarded as a leading figure in the world of nanga just as Kazan was before him. However, being indifferent to others’ opinions and unpretentious, he found the greatest joy in painting for pleasure, never seeking fame or submitting his works to public exhibitions.
This exhibit showcases the works of Suigan, said to be the last nanga artist with a background in Chinese classical education. It features works that have held a lasting appreciation among the educated, even as traditional nanga declined, with a focus on otherworldly landscapes and works reflecting his appreciation of rocks.