Priest Riding a Donkey c. 17th century

"Priest Riding a Donkey" is a hanging scroll attributed to the 17th-century Japanese artist Kano Naonobu. Painted in the style of *sumi-e*, the work features a priest riding a donkey, depicted in a minimalist and elegant manner using black ink on a pale ground. The donkey's form is rendered with precise detail, while the priest is almost abstracted, suggesting a sense of spiritual focus. This striking depiction of a simple subject is characteristic of Naonobu's style and demonstrates the artistry of the Kano school of painting, a prominent lineage in Japanese art.