Tiger and Bamboo, Kanō Tsunenobu

Exhibition Label: "Nature/Natural," Feb-2011, Kris Ercums In East Asian painting, tiger are often paired with bamboo in order to represent two types of strength. While bamboo is resilient, bending but rarely breaking, the tiger embodies physical strength and courage. Since tigers are not indigenous to Japan, artists developed their notions of the tiger’s anatomy from imported skins. Often this resulted in tigers with smaller than normal noses and ears, and larger than normal eyes and paws. Tsunenobu’s version has some of those features, granting the tiger an animated sense of cunning and amusement. Archive Label 2003: The tradition of pairing a tiger with bamboo came to Japan from China. The tiger sheltering in a bamboo grove represents the weak giving shelter to the strong. Bamboo is resilient, even in the worst of storms and the tiger is a metaphor for strength and courage. The tiger is thought to be the only animal capable of penetrating bamboo thickets. Tigers are not indigenous to Japan. Pre-modern artists developed their notions of the tiger’s anatomy from imported skins. Often this resulted in tigers with smaller than normal noses and ears, and larger than normal eyes and paws. Tsunenobu’s version of a tiger here has some of those features, giving this tiger a cunning and amusing air.