Kano Eitoku
Kano Eitoku (?? ?? Kano Eitoku, February 16, 1543 - October 12,
1590) was a Japanese painter and founder of the Kano school of Japanese-style
painting during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Japanese history.
Known for his elegant and unique style, many of his existing paintings
are national treasures.
Born in Kyoto, Eitoku's grandfather Kano Motonobu was an official
painter for the Ashikaga Shogunate. Under his grandfather's guidance,
he started to paint at an early age developing upon his grandfather's
style which had influence from Chinese-style painting.
During his lifetime, Eitoku's patrons included Oda Nobunaga and
Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His standing screen, sliding door, wall, and
ceiling paintings decorated Nobunaga's Azuchi castle and Hideyoshi's
residence in Kyoto and Osaka castle.
Unfortunately, most of his works were ruined or destroyed in the
turmoil of the Sengoku period, however those that do still exist
provide testimony to his talent, power and wealth of his patrons
Nobunaga and Hideyoshi, and magnificence of Azuchi-Momoyama culture.
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