Kakemono Hermit with Small Dragon

A bearded hermit with wild hair sits on a rock while a small dragon-like creature winds its way up his shoulder – a scene reminiscent of the legends of the Taoist and Buddhist Rakan tradition. The hanging scroll bears the signature and seal of Tanaka Koga. The folds of the coarse robe and the striking facial expression of the old man are rendered with strong, confident lines, while the small mythical creature is characterized with a finer brushstroke. Such Rakan depictions frequently show companions from the animal or mythical world that are associated with the hermit and symbolize his special spiritual powers. The immediate, almost humorous familiarity between man and mythical creature makes this sheet a vivid example of classical figure painting.