Takashina Takakane

JAPAN; Kamakura period

Takashina Takakane was a court painter during the rules of Emperor Go-Fushimi (reigned 1298–1301) and Emperor Hanazono (reigned 1308–1318). He was the head of the painting academy for as long as 30 years and was considered an expert in yamato paintings. Aside from painting for the court, he also painted religious images. His paintings were realistically styled in rich colors and dense, flowing strokes. He incorporated the traditional yamato style from the Heian period (794–1185) and created a new technique, which became a model example for later paintings of a similar style during late Kamakura and early Nanbokucho periods.
Works by Takashina include Biography of Master Xuanzang, a set of 12 painting scrolls depicting Master Xuanzang’s journey to obtain the sutras in India, and his subsequent career in translation upon returning to China. This artwork was listed as a National Treasure of Japan and is currently kept at the Fujita Art Museum in Osaka. He also painted the first three scrolls of Origin of Ishiyamadera Temple, a set of seven complete scrolls listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and kept at Ishiyamadera Temple in Shiga.