Antique tiger and bamboo scroll, Japanese ink kakemono (kakejiku), late Edo – early Meiji

Ink painting on silk depicting a tiger among bamboo — a classical motif in the Kanō tradition, where disciplined brushwork and measured expression convey strength, awareness, and inner steadiness. The tiger is rendered with textured, attentive ink work, while bamboo is expressed with firm, calligraphic strokes that provide vertical rhythm and balance.

The scroll belongs to the late Edo – early Meiji period, when painters of the Kanō lineage continued classical ink traditions with controlled gesture and refined restraint. A handwritten signature is present; attribution remains open within the Kanō school context, without naming a specific painter.

Period
Late Edo – early Meiji (c. 1850–1880)

Medium
Ink on silk

Condition
Natural signs of age and characteristic fiber creases from storage. The mounting was professionally renewed on vintage brocade to support long-term preservation, with respect for the historical character. No intervention to the painted surface.

Size
Approx. 42 × 170 cm (including mounting)

Accessories
Original wooden storage box (tomobako) included

Style note
Kanō tradition — controlled ink line, classical composition, restrained expression

Shipping
Safe and tracked shipping from Latvia (Riga Gallery of Japanese Art CloudyYokomido)