{"title":"Soga Nichokuan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"dragon-and-tiger-soga-nichokuan","title":"Dragon and Tiger - Soga Nichokuan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA pair of six-panel folding screens depicting the traditional dragon and tiger motif, rendered in ink wash by Soga Nichokuan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pair of six-panel folding screens, attributed to the Japanese painter Soga Nichokuan, depicts the traditional pairing of the dragon and the tiger. In East Asian iconography, these two creatures represent the dual forces of nature: the dragon embodies the power of water and the heavens, while the tiger signifies the strength of the earth and the wind. Nichokuan, active during the early Edo period, was known for his mastery of ink wash techniques, often drawing inspiration from the earlier Soga school and Chinese precedents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dragon screen features the creature emerging from swirling, atmospheric clouds. The artist uses varying densities of ink to suggest depth and movement, creating a sense of turbulent energy within the celestial realm. The brushwork is fluid, capturing the sinuous form of the dragon as it navigates the misty expanse. The composition relies on the contrast between the dark, concentrated ink of the dragon and the lighter, washed background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the companion screen, the tiger is positioned near a bamboo grove, set against a backdrop of stylised waves and landforms. The tiger is rendered with a focus on its physical presence, its gaze directed towards the dragon across the divide. The treatment of the tiger reflects the artist's interest in animal portraiture, a genre for which the Soga school gained recognition. The use of negative space and the balanced distribution of ink across the six panels demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of screen composition. These works were designed to be viewed in a domestic or temple interior, where the folding structure allowed the imagery to wrap around the viewer, creating an immersive experience of these legendary beasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/nl\/products\/dragon-and-tiger-sesson-shukei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eDragon and Tiger - Sesson Shūkei — Sesson Shukei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/nl\/products\/carp-swimming-watanabe-seitei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eCarp Swimming - Watanabe Seitei — Watanabe Shōtei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Soga Nichokuan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58971706949967,"sku":null,"price":37.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58971739521359,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58971739554127,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58971739586895,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58971739619663,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Small Square (30x30 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58971739652431,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58971739685199,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58971739717967,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Medium Square (40x40 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58971739750735,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58971739783503,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58971739816271,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ Large Square (50x50 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58971739849039,"sku":null,"price":99.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Dragon-and-Tiger_Poster_CompositorV1_1790838574650.jpg?v=1790838904"},{"product_id":"tiger-soga-nichokuan","title":"Tiger - Soga Nichokuan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking ink painting of a tiger by Soga Nichokuan, featuring calligraphic brushwork and a decorative, rhythmic composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work by Soga Nichokuan presents a tiger in a stylised, monochromatic setting. Nichokuan, active during the early seventeenth century, belongs to the Soga school, a lineage known for its distinct approach to ink wash painting. The tiger is rendered with a focus on pattern and form rather than anatomical realism. Its coat features repetitive, decorative markings that contrast with the fluid, sweeping lines of the surrounding environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition spans a wide horizontal format, typical of Japanese folding screens. To the left, a large, swirling wave or rock formation dominates the space, providing a sense of motion. To the right, the tiger moves past a cluster of bamboo stalks. The background uses subtle washes of earth-toned pigment to suggest depth without relying on Western perspective. The artist employs a calligraphic line quality, particularly in the depiction of the tiger's fur and the bamboo leaves, which creates a rhythmic visual experience across the panels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoga Nichokuan is recognised for his specific interest in tiger imagery, a subject that held symbolic weight in Japanese art of the period. Tigers were often depicted as powerful, auspicious creatures, though Nichokuan's interpretations frequently lean towards the eccentric. The creature here possesses a unique facial expression, with wide, alert eyes and a slightly open mouth, which deviates from the more aggressive portrayals found in other schools of the time. The work reflects the aesthetic preferences of the early Edo period, where bold, graphic compositions were favoured for interior decoration in temples and residences of the elite. This print captures the original ink tones and the aged quality of the paper, preserving the balance between the stark black ink and the muted background washes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/nl\/products\/the-tiger-richard-friese\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Tiger - Richard Friese — Richard Friese\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/nl\/products\/tiger-fachang-muqi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eTiger - Fachang Muqi — Muqi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Soga Nichokuan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58986245816655,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58986438361423,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58986438394191,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58986438426959,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58986438459727,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58986438492495,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58986438525263,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58986438558031,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58986438590799,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58986438623567,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58986438656335,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58986438689103,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Tiger_Poster_CompositorV1_1790944162273.jpg?v=1790945847"},{"product_id":"dragon-soga-nichokuan","title":"Dragon - Soga Nichokuan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA powerful ink-wash painting of a dragon by Soga Nichokuan, capturing the mythical creature in fluid, calligraphic brushstrokes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work by Soga Nichokuan depicts a dragon emerging from swirling mists, a subject frequently explored by the Soga school during the early Edo period. The composition spans a six-panel screen, allowing the creature to occupy the space with a sense of fluid movement. Nichokuan employs the sumi-e technique, using varying concentrations of black ink to define the dragon's form against a muted, atmospheric background. The dragon's body coils across the panels, with sharp, clawed limbs and a fierce expression that captures the mythical power associated with the creature in Japanese folklore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artist uses calligraphic brushwork to render the scales and facial features, contrasting these precise details with the softer, washed areas of the surrounding clouds. This balance between controlled line and expansive ink wash creates a sense of depth and motion. The dragon appears to be in the midst of flight, its long, serpentine tail trailing behind as it navigates the ethereal environment. The choice of a monochromatic palette focuses the viewer's attention on the texture of the ink and the gestural quality of the brushstrokes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoga Nichokuan is known for his focus on bird and flower paintings, as well as his depictions of dragons, which often exhibit a distinct, slightly eccentric style. This piece reflects the technical skill of the Soga lineage, which traced its origins back to the Muromachi period. The screen format was a common medium for such large-scale ink paintings, designed to be viewed in the interior spaces of temples or residences. The work remains a representative example of the ink-wash tradition, demonstrating the ability of the artist to convey energy and form through a limited range of tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/nl\/products\/tiger-in-a-cage-ichiryusai-yoshitoyo\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eTiger in a Cage - Ichiryūsai Yoshitoyo — Utagawa Yoshitsuya\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/nl\/products\/swallow-and-lotus-fachang-muqi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eSwallow and Lotus - Fachang Muqi — Fachang Muqi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Soga Nichokuan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59006814388559,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59006914560335,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59006914593103,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59006914625871,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59006914658639,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59006914691407,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59006914724175,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59006914756943,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59006914789711,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59006914822479,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59006914855247,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59006914888015,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Dragon_Poster_CompositorV1_1791164570613.jpg?v=1791164964"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/nl\/collections\/soga-nichokuan.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}