Connoisseur's Sketchbook by Kano Tan'yÅ« (Tan'yÅ« shukuzu), Copies of Buddhist Paintings, Vol. I Possibly 1668

Curator: This scroll is entitled "Connoisseur's Sketchbook by Kano Tan'yÅ«," showcasing copies of Buddhist paintings by Kano Tan'yÅ«, a prominent artist who lived from 1602 to 1674. Editor: It feels like a secret language. A beautifully rendered, intimate record of the artist's dialogue with these ancient forms. Curator: Yes, Tan'yÅ« served as an official painter for the Tokugawa shogunate. He created these shukuzu, or reduced-size copies, to study and preserve important Buddhist paintings. Editor: There's a quiet intensity in the details, even in the scaled-down versions. You can sense him tracing the lines, trying to unlock the essence of those original works. Curator: Precisely. The sketchbook demonstrates the artistic lineage and the role of the Kano school in preserving and reinterpreting cultural heritage. Editor: It’s a reminder that art isn't just creation, it's also about careful looking and honoring what came before.