Author:Kobayashi Toun

Size:Length:178 x Width:45.5 (cm)

Size description：140×33.5 (畫心)

Introduction：Kobayashi Toun (1961-), born in Tokyo, Japan, is an artist with a strong foundation in calligraphy, having been introduced to the art by his mother, a calligrapher. He began practicing calligraphy from a young age and delved deeply into ink painting during high school. He studied under Li Fuqi from the Beijing Palace Museum and learned from numerous renowned artists in China and Taiwan. In 1987, he created a mural at the Japan Art Exhibition in Paris, which led to invitations for similar projects in multiple countries. He also held a solo exhibition, The 20th Anniversary of China-Japan Cultural Exchange: Kobayashi Toun Calligraphy and Ink Painting Exhibition, at the Chinese History Museum. His works are housed in several museums both domestically and internationally. Deeply inspired by the cultural significance of traditional ink painting, he frequently creates murals in shrines, temples, and other sacred sites. Currently, he works in packaging and web design while continuing to explore the expressive possibilities of ink painting through his various publications.

Kobayashi Toun masterfully utilizes dots, lines, and planes in his compositions, employing fundamental techniques such as “baimiao” (line drawing), “cuncao” (texturing), “xuanran” (gradual shading), and “yunran” (diffused shading). His painting style blends Japanese and traditional Chinese ink painting, forming a unique artistic identity that embodies the spirit of classical ink painting while incorporating the precision and aesthetic sensibilities of Japanese ink art.

The artwork “Elder” captures the essence of old age with remarkable precision. The subject is depicted with expressive brushwork, skillfully outlining the wrinkles between the eyes, nose, and mouth. Subtle white spaces along the temples suggest strands of white hair, while the slightly forward-leaning posture reflects the natural curvature of aging. Despite this, the figure exudes vitality and spirit, gently stroking his beard while admiring plum blossoms. Dressed in a flowing white robe and wearing a black gauze cap, he embodies the virtues of integrity and purity. The plum blossom, one of the “Three Friends of Winter,” stands resilient against the cold, symbolizing unyielding strength and noble character. Admired by scholars and literati, it is often associated with the virtues of a gentleman—unyielding and steadfast like the plum. The artist uses bold and fluid brushstrokes to render the branches, skillfully varying ink tones to create depth. The upward-reaching branches emphasize resilience, while the blossoms are applied using a splattering technique, simplifying traditional fine-line depictions of plum flowers. This approach enhances the painting’s minimalist aesthetic, reinforcing its elegance and refined atmosphere.

Accession Number:PT09711800

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