Author:Kobayashi Toun

Size:Length:177.5 x Width:45.4 (cm)

Size description：139.9×33.5 (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 “Immortal” shares a similar expressive technique with “Elder,” yet conveys a more transcendent and otherworldly presence. Beyond the mottled features of aging, the immortal figure appears detached from worldly concerns, with flowing white beard, silver hair, and an air of wisdom and serenity. The depiction of clothing is simplified, reducing detailed linework in favor of broader, more fluid brushstrokes that replace solid contours with dynamic ink washes. The composition evokes the imagery of a strong wind sweeping through, emphasizing the ethereal and free-spirited nature of the immortal. Japan’s imagery of immortals was influenced by depictions from the Tang Dynasty, reflecting humanity’s age-old yearning for longevity and liberation from worldly attachments. This painting captures the fantasy of boundless freedom, illustrating the immortal’s detachment from earthly constraints. Complementing the figure, the artist incorporates bamboo, one of the “Three Friends of Winter,” reinforcing the virtues of humility and resilience. The segmented structure of the bamboo symbolizes moral integrity and unwavering principles, reminding viewers to uphold their values with the same steadfastness as bamboo.

Accession Number:PT09711700

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