Squirrel on Bamboo 1640 - 1660

Kano Tan'yū created 'Squirrel on Bamboo' using ink on paper. It now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At first glance, the interplay between the defined brushstrokes of the bamboo and the softer, more ambiguous rendering of the squirrel captures your attention. Tan'yū masterfully employs asymmetry, setting up a visual push and pull that animates the entire picture plane. The bamboo, boldly drawn, juts in from the upper left, acting as a counterweight to the squirrel, which is delicately poised on a slender branch toward the lower right. The textural contrast—the rough strokes defining the bamboo leaves versus the gentle gradations suggesting the squirrel's fur—enhances the dynamic between the elements. Notice how the empty space is not just background but an active component, giving balance and depth. This manipulation of space and form transforms a potentially simple subject into a study of visual equilibrium. This piece challenges fixed perspectives. Instead, it invites ongoing interpretation, ensuring its relevance through time.