Author: Suzuki Gako
Colored silk canvas; double-width cloth
Latter part of the Edo period
Ryūgakizu (流書図) is a collection of copies of typical traditional Japanese and Chinese brush drawings. This ryūgakizu consists of two parts: the right scroll encompasses works by Chinese artists mainly from the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties, and the left one works by Japanese artists from the Muromachi period (1336–1573) onwards including that of Sesshū (雪舟) and Kanō Motonobu (狩野元信) (1476–1559). Although there is no signature of the replica artist, the "Rimboko" (琳摹古) seal is stamped on each of the drawings along with the name of the original artist – and while the seal itself does not provide the identity of the replica artist, this ryūgakizu was possibly created by Suzuki Gako (鈴木鵞湖) (1816–1870), an artist of the late Edo period, as his seal resembles "Rimboko".
This ryūgakizu was originally created as a learning resource for studying traditional Japanese and Chinese drawing styles. It is assumed that this ryūgakizu was commissioned by Hibiya Kenjirō (日比谷健次郎) (1836–1886) who was reportedly interested in learning poetry and art. Although the drawings are placed in a certain order for viewers to effectively study the different styles, the replica artist’s decision to place a Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s (俵屋宗達) (1570–1643) on the bottom left of the left scroll suggests that he had a unique taste in drawing.
List of artists and their works on the right side:
Upper right corner: Jing Hao (荊浩), Kanbaku Sansui Zu (観瀑山水図) (Landscape with Waterfall).
Upper middle: Ri Ryōmin (李龍眠), Gyoran Kannon Zu (魚籃観音図) (Buddha on a Fish).
Lower upper middle: Li Di (李迪), Kushi Zu (狗子図) (Puppy).
Upper left: Gao Kegong (高克泰), Sansui Zu (山水図) (Mountain and River).
Middle right: Nikkan (日観), Budō Zu (葡萄図) (Grapevines).
Middle left: Ma Yuan (馬遠), Shūkō Zu (舟行図) (Sailing).
Lower right: Chinshi Ka (陳子和), Kika Kōshi Zu (騎鹿高士図) (Deer Rider).
Lower left: Dai Jin (戴進), U ō Chisui Zu (禹王治水図) (River Management by Yu the Great).
Lowermost middle: Chen Jiayan (陳嘉言), Kaki ni Chō Zu (花卉に蝶図) (Butterflies and Flowers).
Lowermost left corner: Shangguan Zhō (上官周), Tsuribito Zu (釣人図) (Fisherman).
List of artists and their works on the left side:
Uppermost right corner: Shūbun (周文), Sansui Zu (山水図) (River and Mountains).
Uppermost middle: Minchō (明兆), Ashiba Daruma (芦葉達磨図) (Bodhidharma on a Reed).
Uppermost left corner: Kanō Motonobu (狩野元信), Dōtei Shūgetsu Zu (洞庭秋月図) (Autumn Moon on the Dongting Lake).
Upper right: Sesshū (雪舟), Kanga Zu (鑑画図) (Chinese Style Drawing).
Upper left: Kaō (可翁), Sansan Zu (三酸図) (Sourness of the Vinegar).
Middle right: Shūgetsu Tōkan (秋月等観), Bōtan Zu (牡丹図) (Tree Peony).
Middle left: Soga Jasoku (曾我蛇足), Rōkaku Sansui Zu (楼閣山水図) (Multistoried Building Landscape).
Lower right: Kanō Shōei (狩野松栄), Kōshi Zu (高士図) (Noble Men).
Lower middle: Sō Ami (相阿弥), Sansui Zu (山水図) (River and Mountains).
Lowermost right: Unkoku Kōeki (雲谷等益), Dattan-jin Zu (韃靼人図) (Tatars).
Lowermost middle: Shōkadō Shōjō (松花堂昭乗), Kanzan Jittoku Zu (寒山拾得図) (Hanshan and Shide).
Lower left: Tawaraya Sōtatsu (俵屋宗達), Akikusa Zu (秋草図) (Autumn Plants).
Japanese names follow the Japanese order: surname and first name.
Japanese names and words are transcribed using the Hepburn romanization method.
Commentaires