Is Cormorant Fishing under copyright?

Yes, this artwork is still under copyright.

Buy a print of Cormorant Fishing

Artwork Description

Against the jet-black form of the towering rocks of Kinka-zan mountain, bonfires cast bright glows upon the river. All his life, Kawai Gyokudo continued to paint scenes from the land of his childhood. Kawai Gyokudo was born Kawai Yoshisaburo in Kisokawa Village, Aichi Prefecture. He later moved to Gifu and then Kyoto, where he apprenticed successively under Mochizuki Gyokusen and Kono Bairei, learning the style of the Maruyama Shijo school. Then, he moved to Tokyo to study under Hashimoto Gaho. Following his teacher’s example, he joined in the establishment of the Nihon Bijutsuin (Japan Art Institute) and at the same time participated actively in the Bunten and Teiten exhibitions. In 1915, he became professor at the Tokyo Fine Arts School, continuing in the post until 1938. In his late years, he made his home in Mitake in the Okutama region, where he enjoyed painting and composing haiku poetry. Having spent his childhood near the Ngara River, cormorant fishing was a theme he was very familiar with, and he left several hundred pieces on this subject during his lifetime. The work shown here was exhibited in the 12th Teiten exhibition of 1931. Gyokudo used gold paint for the bonfires and their reflections on the water to make a stronger impression of the areas of light in darkness. The brushwork that has captured the movements of the fishermen and boatman reflects the free-spirited, realistic expression of the Maruyama Shijo school, while the gigantic rocks in the background are rendered in the Kano school’s characteristic style. Together they help make this a highly lyrical work, which while retaining classical techniques, is based on a new sensibility. (Writer : Tamon Takase Source : Selected Masterpieces from The University Art Museum, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music: Grand Opening Exhibition, The University Art Museum, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, 1999)

Related Artworks

Artist Biography

The Genesis of a Master

Born into the fragrant atmosphere of a family dedicated to the craft of papermaking and ink production, Kawai Yoshisaburō’s destiny was etched in the very materials of his future art. In the heart of Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture, the young artist grew up surrounded by the tactile essence of tradition. This early immersion in the physical components of nihonga—the brushes, the pigments, and the delicate papers—provided a foundation far deeper than mere technical skill; it was an elemental connection to the medium itself. As he journeyed from his childhood home to the vibrant artistic hubs of Kyoto, his identity began to transform, eventually adopting the evocative pseudonym Kawai Gyokudō, a name that would become synonymous with the seasonal soul of Japan.

A Tapestry of Influences

The evolution of Gyokudō’s style was a deliberate dance between the ancient and the emerging. Under the tutelage of masters like Mochizuki Gyokusen and Kōno Bairei, he absorbed the meticulous realism of the Maruyama-shijo school, learning to observe the natural world with an almost scientific precision. Yet, his spirit was not bound by the past alone. By integrating the disciplined brushwork of the Kanō school from Hashimoto Gahō and the luminous, atmospheric perspectives of Western Impressionism, he achieved a breathtaking synthesis. His canvases became more than mere depictions; they were windows into a world where:

Traditional Nihonga techniques met the vibrant, light-filled palettes of modern Europe.
The mogu technique brought a powerful, textured life to the trunks of ancient pines.
Compositional principles from Chinese traditions provided a structural elegance to his landscapes.

Capturing the Eternal Seasons

Gyokudō’s true mastery lay in his ability to arrest time, capturing the fleeting transitions of the Japanese landscape with profound emotional resonance. His oeuvre serves as a seasonal chronicle, where the arrival of spring and the descent of winter are felt through every brushstroke. In works such as “Futsuka zuki” (The New Moon), one finds a serene, moonlit winter stillness, while “Yuku haru” (The Departing Spring) evokes the bittersweet melancholy of falling blossoms. Whether portraying the dramatic silhouette of a hawk perched upon an old pine or the rhythmic dance of cormorant fishing against the dark rocks of Kinka-zan mountain, his art celebrates a harmonious existence between humanity and the wild. Through his eyes, the mountains and rivers are not merely scenery, but living, breathing entities that pulse with the rhythm of the earth.

kawai yoshisaburō

1873 - 1957 , Japan

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Nihonga
Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Kōno Bairei
- Hashimoto Gahō
Date Of Birth: November 24, 1873
Date Of Death: June 30, 1957
Full Name: Kawai Yoshisaburō
Nationality: Japanese
Notable Artworks:
- Futsuka zuki
- Yuku haru
- Mine-no-yu
- Bosetsu
Place Of Birth: Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture

Kawai Yoshisaburō: The Full Collection

Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.

Popular

Collectible Description

Artist Biography

Reproduction Frame

White $1

Blurside $1

Extended $1

P118B $10

P118H $10

P118W $10

P438Z $10

P508JH $12

P508YH $12

P805H $10

P805Z $10

P919BZ $10

P919G $10

P919XJ $10

P959ZH $10

P968JZ $12

W106C $8

W218G $10

W218JH $8

W218Y $10

W307PJ $10

W316G $10

W316PJ $8

W316Y $10

W398PJ $8

W4111J $10

W500HY $15

W500JH $15

W692G $12

W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

H24-GOLD $30

H24-SILVER $30

H36-GOLD $45

H36-SILVER $45

Framed

Reproduction Size

Artwork Customization

Artist Skill Level

Nameplate

Engraved Bronze Plaque Details

Transparent Acrylic Plaque Details

Black Acrylic Plaque Details

Protective Varnish

Urgent Production

Included Benefits

Free Worldwide Express Shipping

High-Quality Linen Canvas

Full Shipping Insurance

Customs Tax Refund Guarantee

True Color Matching Guarantee

60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 263

Summary

Reproduction Medium

-

Elite Senior Artist

-

Reproduction Frame

-

Nameplate

-

Protective Varnish

-

Customize My Artwork

-

Urgent

-

Express Shipping

Included

Total Price

$ 263

Artwork Description