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The 12 Most Famous Kanō Hōgai Paintings, a Gallery Selection
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 12 works by Kanō Hōgai in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Kanō Hōgai left, the most famous is Jurōjin (1881), in the collection of the Sen-oku Hakuko Kan, Kyoto. Close behind it come Nio(Buddhistguardian) Seizing an Evil Spirit (1886) and Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff" (1883). Our catalog holds 12 works by Kanō Hōgai; the gallery has kept the 12 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
1828 – 1888, Chōfu
Most works: National Museum of Modern Art
Kanō Hōgai's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice
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Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff"
This vertical hanging scroll painting, executed in the Japanese Kanō school style, presents a landscape of snow-covered mountains. The composition utilizes a high perspective, guiding the eye from a flowing river at the base upward through clusters of architectural structures and forests toward towering, snow-capped peaks. The color palette is monochromatic, relying on shades of cream, beige, and white. Fine black ink lines define the contours of the rocks, trees,…
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The Kanō Hōgai selection continues, 11 to 12
![Avalokitesvara/Draft Sketch\n\nAvalokitesvara/Draft Sketch [1/8] by Kanō Hōgai](/media/artworks/images-thumb/b6/95/b695b145bb0b81a401b1b755bbf95d35.jpg)
The subjects that held Kanō Hōgai's eye
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The museums that keep Kanō Hōgai's originals
The 5 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Kanō Hōgai | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 National Museum of Modern Art |
Tokyo | 2 | Nio(Buddhistguardian) Seizing an Evil Spirit, Lions |
 The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts |
Tokyo | 2 | Acalanatha, Avalokitesvara as a Merciful Mother |
 Sen-oku Hakuko Kan |
Kyoto | 1 | Jurōjin |
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 1 | Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff" |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 1 | Landscape Scenes Along the River |
Kanō Hōgai year by year: the originals that define each
Barely a decade, 1881 to 1888, gave the world every dated Kanō Hōgai original in this selection: here it is, year by year.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
1883
Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff"
Age 55
2 works this year
This vertical hanging scroll painting, executed in the Japanese Kanō school style, presents a landscape of snow-covered mountains. The composition utilizes a high perspective, guiding the eye from a flowing river at the base upward through clusters of architectural structures and forests toward towering, snow-capped peaks. The color palette is monochromatic, relying on shades of cream, beige, and white. Fine black ink lines define the contours of the rocks, trees,…
More from 1883
Collectors' questions about Kanō Hōgai's paintings
Which work is Kanō Hōgai most famous for?Reveal the answer
Jurōjin (1881), Sen-oku Hakuko Kan, Kyoto. Nio(Buddhistguardian) Seizing an Evil Spirit (1886) and Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff" (1883) come next.
What age was Kanō Hōgai when Jurōjin was made?Reveal the answer
53 years old: Jurōjin dates from 1881, and Kanō Hōgai was born in 1828.
What are the ten most famous Kanō Hōgai paintings?Reveal the answer
Jurōjin, Nio(Buddhistguardian) Seizing an Evil Spirit, Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff", Landscape Scenes Along the River, Avalokitesvara/Draft Sketch, Acalanatha, Avalokitesvara as a merciful mother / draft sketch, Lions, Cranes and Pine Trees in a Landscape and Avalokitesvara as a Merciful Mother(draft). The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
How many paintings did Kanō Hōgai leave?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 12 works by Kanō Hōgai, dated from 1881 to 1888.
In which museums do Kanō Hōgai's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in National Museum of Modern Art (Tokyo), The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo) and Sen-oku Hakuko Kan (Kyoto). The museum table above lists them all.
In which years did Kanō Hōgai paint the most famous works?Reveal the answer
In 1883: 2 of the 12 works on this page were made then, Su Shi's "Ode to His Second Visit to the Red Cliff" among them.
What are the first and the last famous originals of Kanō Hōgai?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is Jurōjin (1881) and the latest Avalokitesvara as a merciful mother / draft sketch (1888).
Which Kanō Hōgai works hang at the National Museum of Modern Art?Reveal the answer
Nio(Buddhistguardian) Seizing an Evil Spirit and Lions: the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo holds 2 of the works on this page.
Kanō Hōgai: life and work
Kanō Enshin (狩野芳崖) – A Legacy of Serenity and Tradition
Kanō Hōgai (狩野芳崖, February 27, 1828 – October 5, 1888) stands as one of the final luminaries of the Kanō school, a movement that profoundly shaped Japanese art history. Born in Shimonoseki, Japan, he descended from a lineage steeped in artistic excellence—his father served as chief painter to the daimyo, granting him early exposure to the highest echelon of artistic patronage and training. Recognizing his innate talent, he was dispatched to Edo (now Tokyo) at eighteen to pursue formal studies under Kanō Shōsen’in and other masters of the era, immersing himself in the techniques and philosophies that would define his artistic vision.- Early Training & Influences: Hōgai's formative years were marked by rigorous instruction in brushwork, pigment preparation, and compositional principles—elements central to the Kanō school’s distinctive aesthetic. He absorbed the teachings of prominent figures like Sesshū and Sesson, inheriting their dedication to capturing spiritual essence through meticulous observation and understated elegance.
- Commissioned Masterpieces & Recognition: Hōgai swiftly gained renown for his ability to execute monumental ceiling paintings commissioned by Edo Castle, demonstrating mastery over scale and perspective—skills honed during a period of intense artistic experimentation. His work was showcased at the Paris International Exposition of 1876, securing international acclaim and establishing him as a pivotal voice in Japanese art discourse.
The Turbulent Years & Adaptations Amidst Change
Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan underwent dramatic transformations—economic instability disrupted traditional artistic endeavors, forcing Hōgai to diversify his income streams beyond painting commissions. He ventured into iron casting, reclaimed land for agricultural use, and operated a writing instrument shop – pragmatic steps necessitated by circumstance yet reflecting an enduring spirit of innovation. Notably, he returned to Edo in 1877 and dedicated himself to studying the works of Japan’s artistic giants, including Sesshū and Sesson, furthering his understanding of classical aesthetics.- Shimazu Patronage & Artistic Refinement: His association with the Shimazu clan provided invaluable opportunities for scholarly pursuits and access to masterpieces of Japanese art history.