Kawanabe Kyosai: Nothing Escaped His Brush

Known as the ‘demon of painting’, Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) playfully depicted spirits, animals and otherworldly creatures in his works. Recent research has revealed how Kyosai expanded his artistic oeuvres by taking in advanced new painting techniques, expressions and even themes, while at the same time staying true to the traditional Kano School styles and methods. Having personally seen the chaotic years at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the launch of the Meiji Restoration, the painter drew a wide variety of topics and themes about the new system and society. This exhibition will explore his active role during this period, while highlighting the characteristic lines that he is known for in his works.