Exceptional 6-Panel Screen by Tsuruzawa Tangei (1687-1769)

Ink, polychromy and gold powder on paper.
This screen is exceptional for its finely detailed rendition of a large flock of migrating cranes halting by a roaring waterfall in the distance, a subject particularly favoured by the artists of the Tsurusawa school. The crane (Tsuru) is a symbol of longevity. Associated with long life and good fortune in East Asia, the auspicious red-crowned or Manchurian cranes are thought to be able to navigate between heaven and earth during their migrations.

Tsuruzawa Tangei (1687-1769) was the son of Tsurusawa Tanzan (1655-1729) who had studied under Kano Tanyu (1602-1674) and was himself the founder of the Tsurusawa Kyo- Kan? school. His son, Tsurusawa Tansaku (ca. 1729-1797), continued this lineage of artists painting in a traditional Kan? style during the Edo period