MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED TESSAI [KANO TESSAI (1845-1925)] AND WITH KAO AND RED-LACQUER INSCRIPTION NARAU SUIKO BUGAKU MEN HORYUJI KYUMEN KANNON DAISHI MOKU SHIKI

Kano Tessai was born in Gifu prefecture. At an early age he was sent to study painting and calligraphy at several Buddhist temples. Upon the Meiji restoration in 1868, Tessai decided to leave the priesthood and devote his life to studying famous artifacts in the temple collections throughout Japan and the techniques used in their making. Through this he became familiar with the vast collections of masks housed in temples such as Todaiji and Horyuji in Nara, which became the inspiration for most of his work. He also accompanied Ernest Fenellosa on his survey of temples around Kyoto and Nara. He was present during the opening of the Yumedono at Horyuji when the Kudara Kannon was revealed to the world in 1884 for the first time in many years.

In 1887 Tessai was appointed professor in the Department of Sculpture of the newly established Tokyo Art School, but he resigned shortly thereafter to return to his life as an artist. Tessai's principal works included netsuke, pipecases, models of religious artifacts and accessories for tea gatherings.