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Kano Eitoku




Kano Eitoku (狩野 永徳 ''Kanō Eitoku'', February 16 , 1543 - October 12 , 1590 ) was a Japanese painter and founder of the Kano School of Japanese Painting during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japanese History . Known for his elegant and unique style, many of his existing paintings are national treasures.

Born in Kyoto , Eitoku's grandfather Kano Motonobu was an official painter for the Ashikaga Shogunate . Under his grandfather's guidance, he started to paint at an early age developing upon his grandfather's style which had influence from Chinese Painting .

During his lifetime, Eitoku's patrons included Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi . His standing screen, sliding door, wall, and ceiling paintings decorated Nobunaga's Azuchi Castle and Hideyoshi's residence in Kyoto and Osaka Castle .

Unfortunately, most of his works were ruined or destroyed in the turmoil of the Sengoku Period , however those that do still exist provide testimony to his talent, power and wealth of his patrons Nobunaga and Hideyoshi, and magnificence of Azuchi-Momoyama culture.

The painter Hasegawa Tohaku was a contemporary and rival of Eitoku.