Ganku 岸駒

岸駒 Ganku (1749-1838)
Painter of the late Edo period. Founder of the Kishi school. Born into a merchant family in Kanazawa, Kaga. Because he was poor, he learned to write characters from the signboards of the merchant's house and also learned to paint by himself. He first studied painting in the Kano school and later taught himself the styles of the Shin-Nanpin and Maruyama schools. He blended the painting styles of the various schools to create a fusion of expressiveness and ornamentation and developed his own unique style of sketchy painting with a strong sense of humor. He was especially good at depicting birds and animals, especially tigers. He painted the walls of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and Kanazawa Castle. He formed the Kishi School and trained many students.