Kanzan

Object Details

• Artist

  Kao (fl. ca. 1300-1350)

• School/Tradition

  Muromachi-Suiboku

• Label

  The Chinese poet Hanshan, whose name literally means "Cold Mountain," is known in Japanese as Kanzan and is often depicted in Zen Buddhist paintings. In this painting, Hanshan is shown in profile, nearly turning his back to the viewer in a pose that expresses his reclusive nature. The artist Kao was one of the earliest Japanese artists to assimilate the methods and subjects of Chinese ink painting. His informal, spontaneous brushwork focuses on the spirit of Hanshan.

• Provenance

  ?-no later than 1959

  The Nijō Family, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  By at least 1959-1960

  Mayuyama & Co., Ltd., Tokyo, method of acquisition unknown [2]

  From 1960

  The Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Mayuyama & Co., Ltd., through Howard Hollis and Company, Cleveland [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See object file for curatorial notes by J. Robinson, dated 1975, with attached, undated object description on Mayuyama & Co. letterhead, stating that, “This painting was in the collection of the Nijo Family but has not been opened to the public.” This may explain why the earliest publication of the object is in Ira Moskowitz, ed., “Great Drawings of all Time” (Redding: Talisman Books, Inc., 1962) vol. 4, pl. 912, where it is cited as being in the Freer collection. The Nijō family were Japanese aristocrats. Twentieth-century family members include Motohiro (1859-1928), a business leader and member of the House of Peers, his son Atsumoto (1883-1927), and nephew Masamaro (1872-1929), both of whom were also in the House of Peers.

  [2] See object file for copy of January 16, 1959 letter from J. A. Pope to Junkichi Mayuyama, wherein he writes, “I am pleased to hear that you have received permission to export the Kao painting.” Pope then alluded to an earlier visit Mr. Mayuyama made to the U.S. Although Pope didn’t identify the date of that visit, Mayuyama referred to it in his reply to Pope, dated January 27, 1959: “We are happy to see that Mr. Wenley is also interested in the Kao’s [sic] painting, of which I showed you the photograph during my stay. We shipped it by Japan Airlines on January 22nd at our own expense and risk as you indicated.” Mayuyama explains that Howard Hollis, of Howard Hollis and Company, will be acting as agent for the transaction: “For the reason of export procedures, we must ask your understanding that the painting will be forwarded to you through Mr. Hollis, Cleveland.” Original letter in object file. Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. was founded by Matsutarō Mayuyama (1882-1935), with its first Tokyo location opening in 1916. After Matsutarō’s death, his eldest son Junkichi (1913-1999) led Mayuyama & Co. Additionally, see note 3.

  [3] See object file for copy of Howard Hollis invoice to Freer Gallery of Art, dated August 24, 1960, and marked approved by the Secretary on June 4, 1959. See also original letter, in object file, from Howard Hollis to J. A. Pope dated January 30, 1959, confirming arrival of the Kaō scroll: “The Kaō is here, and I think I ought to ship it to you, as I do not expect to go to Washington until after February 22nd.” He asks Pope to confirm whether he wants the scroll shipped to the Freer, emphasizing “Junkichi wants it sent in a hurry.” See also Freer Gallery of Art vault card V37.59, copy in object file, indicating the object was left by Howard Hollis on March 13, 1959. Howard Hollis was Curator of Far Eastern and Near Eastern Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art from 1929 until serving as Officer in Charge of the Far East division of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) program in Tokyo in 1946; he resumed his post in Cleveland in 1948. He founded Howard Hollis & Company in Cleveland, specializing in Asian Art, which he expanded to a second location in 1961 in New York City. Hollis frequently partnered with Junkichi Mayuyama (1913-1999) of Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. See also note 2.

  Research updated April 7, 2023

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Mind Over Matter: Zen in Medieval Japan (March 5, 2022 - July 24, 2022)

  Zen, Tea, and Chinese Art in Medieval Japan (December 13, 2014 to June 14, 2015)

  Life of a Japanese Painting (December 1, 1995 to October 16, 1996)

  Japanese Art (May 9, 1993 to June 27, 1994)

  Japanese Art (July 1, 1974 to April 10, 1978)

  Japanese Art: Paintings and Pottery (July 1, 1966 to May 2, 1973)

  Japanese Art (January 1, 1963 to July 1, 1966)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Nijo Family

  Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. (established 1916)

  Howard Hollis and Company (established 1949)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s, 1300s

• Name

  Mayuyama & Co., Ltd., Howard Hollis and Company, Nijo Family

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Art, Muromachi period (1333 - 1573), Japanese Art, Portraits, Poets, Kakemono

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Paintings