Is "Maple Bridge Night Mooring" under copyright?

No, this artwork is in the public domain.

Buy a hand made painting of "Maple Bridge Night Mooring"

Ike Taiga, one of the most prolific and influential artists of the Nanga, or literati school, in Kyoto, excelled in a calligraphic style called karayō, or Chinese-style writing. This screen displays Taiga’s mastery of the style in his inscription of the Chinese poem “Maple Bridge Night Mooring,” by Zhang Ji (766?–830?), whose verses Taiga frequently used in his paintings and calligraphic works. The characters, most of which are rendered in grass script, or sōsho, were powerfully brushed, with contrasting wet and semi-dry brushstrokes and broad and thin lines. The poem reads:The moon sets, crows sing, and frost fills the sky.Maple trees along the river and fires in fishing boatsface me, sleepless with lament.The bell of Cold Mountain Temple outside Suzhou tolls,At midnight, the sound reaches this boat.

Questions & Answers

Does ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga use strong contrasts or soft harmonies?

The color composition of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga combines a statement contrast with a unified palette harmony.

Who is the artist behind ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring""?

""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" was created by Ike Taiga. The information on this page describes Ike Taiga's original work.

How saturated is the palette of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring""?

The palette of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" is balanced soft in saturation.

What is the creation date of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga?

""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" dates from 1770. The date places the work within Ike Taiga's career and its era.

Can I see an X-ray view of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga?

The X-Ray view of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga is on the artwork's X-Ray page: an interactive examination of the image through eleven optical layers.

What color harmony does ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga display?

The colors of ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" by Ike Taiga show a unified palette harmony. Harmony describes how the colors relate to each other.

What was Ike Taiga's age when ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" was created?

Ike Taiga made ""Maple Bridge Night Mooring"" at the age of 47. The artist was born in 1723 and the work is dated 1770.

Artist Biography

Ike no Taiga: Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Edo Period Landscape Painting

Ike no Taiga (1723-1776) stands as a monumental figure within the *bunjinga* tradition—a uniquely Japanese form of literati painting that flourished during the Edo period. More than just an artist, he embodied the spirit of his time, skillfully blending classical Chinese aesthetics with groundbreaking experimental techniques to produce works that continue to resonate with collectors and scholars alike. His life story itself is a testament to perseverance and intellectual curiosity, shaping him into one of the most influential painters of his era. Born into humble circumstances—his father a farmer on the outskirts of Kyoto—Taiga’s early life was marked by hardship. The family moved to Kyoto shortly before his birth, seeking refuge from famine conditions, and his father's employment at the silver mint afforded them modest financial stability. Tragically, he passed away when Taiga was just three years old, leaving his widowed mother to raise him with unwavering devotion. Remarkably, she prioritized his education, securing tutors who instilled in him a profound understanding of both Japanese and Chinese disciplines—a foundation that would prove crucial to his artistic development. By the age of six, he began formal training at Manpuku-ji Zen Temple, fostering connections that would endure throughout his life, grounding him in Buddhist philosophy and shaping his contemplative approach to artmaking. Taiga’s artistic journey commenced professionally at fourteen, establishing a fan painting workshop where he honed his craft alongside fellow artists and collectors. A pivotal encounter with Yanagisawa Kien—a prominent social and artistic patron—introduced him to the vibrant *bunjinga* circle of Kyoto, propelling him toward collaborations that would solidify his reputation as a leading figure in Japanese art. Notably, Taiga’s formative influence stemmed from Yi Fujiu (j: i fukyū), a Chinese painter specializing in landscape depictions who taught Taiga innovative painting methods—documented extensively in *Yi Fujiu Ike no Taiga Sansui Gafu* (1803). This manual became the cornerstone of Taiga's artistic style, reflecting the pervasive impact of Chinese art on Edo period aesthetics.

Key Characteristics: Taiga’s paintings are characterized by a masterful fusion of meticulous observation and expressive brushwork. He meticulously rendered landscapes—often featuring mountains, rivers, and trees—capturing subtle nuances of light and atmosphere with remarkable precision.
Technique: Unlike many of his contemporaries who adhered strictly to established conventions, Taiga experimented with techniques that pushed the boundaries of *bunjinga*. He employed “finger painting”—a method where pigment is applied directly onto paper using fingertips—creating textured surfaces and conveying a sense of immediacy and spontaneity.
Notable Works: Among his celebrated compositions are "Landscape with Tower," "Fishing Boat on Reed Covered Bank and Calligraphy," and “Finger Painting of a Landscape,” each exemplifying Taiga’s distinctive style and demonstrating his ability to capture the essence of nature in evocative imagery.

Taiga's legacy extends beyond individual artworks; he profoundly impacted the development of *bunjinga* as a genre, establishing it as a vehicle for conveying philosophical ideas alongside aesthetic beauty. His influence can be seen in subsequent generations of artists who embraced experimentation and sought to elevate landscape painting to new heights of artistic expression. Ike no Taiga’s unwavering dedication to mastering both Eastern and Western traditions cemented his place as one of Japan's most enduring artistic icons—a testament to the transformative power of intellectual curiosity and artistic innovation. His contribution to Japanese art history remains undeniable, ensuring that his vision continues to inspire artists and captivate audiences for centuries to come.

Ike Taiga

1723 - 1776

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: *Bunjinga* (Literati Painting)
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: Yanagisawa Kien
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: Yi Fujiu
Date Of Birth: 1723
Date Of Death: 1776
Full Name: Ike no Taiga
Nationality: Japanese
Notable Artworks:
- Landscape with Tower
- Finger Painting of a Landscape
- Fishing Boat on Reed Covered Bank and Calligraphy
Place Of Birth: Kyoto, Japan