National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Kakei was a painter of the Imperial Painting Academy, who, together with Baen, represented the mid-Southern Song period. Compared to the "brushwork" of Baen, Kakei excelled in "sumi (Indian ink)" and the beauty of his watery sumi color was his greatest characteristic. It is said that this painting demonstrates the highest quality of vast and watery representation in sumi among the paintings authenticated as a Kakei and that use of sumi in this picture bears the closest resemblance to Kakei. A seal of "Kakei" is said to be hidden in the front wood. This was previously possessed by the Kuroda family.