Kano Naonobu

Kano Naonobu was born in Kyoto in 1607 as the second son of Kano Takanobu and died in 1650. He was an early Edo-period painter. His common name was Shume, and he was the younger brother of Kano Tan'yu and the elder brother of Kano Yasunobu. He used the art names Jitekisai and Bokuin, and is known as one of the Edo Kano painters.

In 1630 he was granted a residence in Edo, became a painter in the shogunate's service, and founded the Takegawacho Kano family (the Kobikicho Kano family). His wife was a daughter of Kano Jinnojo, and his son Tsunenobu developed the house further, making it the most prosperous branch of the Edo Kano painters, who formed the core of the Kano school.

Together with his elder brother Tan'yu, he produced wall and screen paintings for the guest hall of Shojurai-goji and for Nagoya Castle. Although Tan'yu's influence can be seen, he is said to have excelled at delicate, lyrical ink painting. His works include "Fierce Tiger," designated an Important Art Object.