Liang Kai

Liang Kai was a painter of the Southern Song dynasty in China, whose dates of birth and death are unknown. He was born in Shandong and is said to have worked in Lin'an (later Hangzhou), the capital. He is said to have studied under Jia Shigu and to have been given the rank of painter-in-attendance at the court painting academy during the Jiatai era (1201-1204). He is said to have excelled at figures, landscapes, and other subjects.

He is said to have left behind the golden belt he had received from the court, resigned his post, and entered Zen practice. Because he painted freely without regard to convention, he is also said to have been called "Madman Liang."

He is also called one of the sources of a style that evokes its subject and atmosphere with extremely economical brushwork, and is known as an artist linked to the spirit of Zen. This style is sometimes called genpitsu-tai (reduced-brush style). Splendid Snowy Landscape and Sakyamuni Descending the Mountain are held by the Tokyo National Museum.