Antique Japanese Kakejiku Hanging Scroll Tiger on Cliff Nihonga Ink Color Signed 73"L

Japanese kakejiku hanging scroll, ink and color on paper, roaring tiger on rocky outcrop — nihonga-style naturalistic painting, signed and sealed, Taishō to early Shōwa period

Japan; Taishō to early Shōwa period, c. 1910s–1930s

A technically accomplished kakejiku (掛軸) depicting a roaring tiger crouching on a rocky cliff, painted in the meticulous nihonga manner with ink and mineral pigments on paper. The tiger occupies the full width of the composition — head turned sharply toward the viewer with mouth open and fangs bared, the green eyes modeled with careful tonal gradation, individual hairs rendered throughout in fine brush lines that convey both texture and muscular weight. The forepaws extend over the edge of the outcrop, claws visible, the animal's body coiled and ready. The rocky ground is painted in layered teal and green washes with dark moss or lichen spotting, providing a naturalistic base for the figure. The background is an open wash of warm grey-tan, giving the composition air and focus. Signed in lower right with two red seals.

This scroll shares its signature and seals with two companion pieces from the same artist — a snow tiger with moon and a Daruma portrait — suggesting the three were acquired together or formed part of the same collection. The contrast between the bold, gestural Daruma brushwork and the refined naturalism of this tiger painting illustrates the range this artist commanded across different painting modes.

The tiger (虎, tora) in Japanese art carries strong associations with courage, strength, and protection from evil. Naturalistically rendered tigers in the nihonga tradition draw on a long lineage connecting Japanese artists to Chinese Song and Yuan dynasty tiger painting, filtered through the Maruyama-Shijō and Kanō school traditions. The rendering of individual hairs and careful anatomical observation in this piece reflects the influence of Maruyama Ōkyo's empirical approach to animal subjects.

Condition: paint loss present as white marks in the lower rock area and one spot in the upper mounting field; foxing dots in the plain areas of the mounting. Please see photos for full condition details.

• Format: Kakejiku (掛軸) hanging scroll
• Subject: Roaring tiger on rocky outcrop
• Medium: Ink and mineral color on paper; plain mounting with floral brocade accent band
• Artist: Signed 珑澤 with two red seals
• Period: Taishō to early Shōwa, c. 1910s–1930s
• Dimensions (art): 20.25" W × 48" H (51 × 122 cm); overall: 23.75" W × 73" H (60 × 185 cm)
• Condition: Paint loss in lower rock area and upper field; foxing in mounting plain areas. Please see photos for details.