Snowy tree | Igawa Meimon 井川鳴門 | 1751-1806

Igawa Meimon came from Awa in Tokushima Province. He belonged to a unique class of artists. He never studied under any famous figure, and painting wasn't his primary profession. He was a master of bugei (martial arts), including fencing and archery. While details of his actual practice are unknown, we do know of his calligraphy (a skill often favored by masters of military disciplines). He was so gifted that he was even able to establish himself as a calligraphy master in Kyoto, the art capital, where the competition was fierce. His deep connection to painting, along with his skills and expertise in the field, led him to engage in the art trade in Edo (Tokyo) towards the end of his relatively short life.

This image is imbued with samurai aesthetics in many respects. Perhaps the most striking feature is the original, specially designed mount. The somber brown natural silk frays towards the image. This might appear somewhat impoverished, but it is intended to underscore the depth of the subject matter, for this image is not simply meant to "decorate a home," but rather to convey elemental forces of nature: The dark background (likely darkened further over time) evokes the harsh winter chill. Yet the plum tree, with its dramatically upright branches, remains unfazed by the weight of the snow; its energy is unbroken. Protected by forked branches, the tree also reveals its sensitive side (an essential characteristic of a samurai): Despite the harsh weather conditions, it nurtures buds that will soon burst forth as magnificent white blossoms, releasing a wonderful fragrance.