A Monkey

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year, and the Year of the Monkey has just begun! It is said in Chinese astrology that people draw their nature from the animal of that year. The monkey is an intelligent, witty, and inventive animal. They are problem solvers, working with others while simultaneously demonstrating an independence associated with high achievers. The nimble monkey is playful and youthful in nature, and is a joy to watch as they move from activity to activity. Sounds like a cool year is about to come! 

This monkey has a superb expression that is more than simple realism, and the picture itself is one of the finest works among the many paintings dating from the Song dynasty. The monkey painted here is recognizably a Japanese monkey (or macaque), rather than Chinese. The expression of the fur, painted in India ink and gold dust, is extremely fine and natural. A widespread rumor that it was painted by Mao Song, a painter in the Imperial Painting Academy of the Chinese Southern Song dynasty, is believed to have been started by Kanô Tanyû, but that attribution is not well-grounded. Its noble history includes its donation to Kakunyo of the Manju temple by Takeda Shingen.