Willow Bank c. late 18th century

"Willow Bank" is a late 18th-century ink-on-paper painting by the Japanese artist Niwa Kagen. The work depicts a serene landscape with two willow trees gracefully cascading over a body of water, creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere. Kagen's delicate brushstrokes and use of negative space evoke the tranquility of the natural world, characteristic of the *bunjinga* style of Japanese painting. This painting, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, offers viewers a glimpse into the aesthetic sensibility of a skilled Japanese artist working within the rich tradition of ink-and-wash landscape painting.