Puppies
狗子之図
Maruyama Okyo · c. 1790 (early Kansei era) · Hanging scroll
Image: Source: Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (Work page (opens in a new tab)) (reduced in size on this site) CC0 (opens in a new tab) View larger
A hanging scroll by the mid-Edo painter Maruyama Okyo that shows three puppies huddled together in soft brushwork. It is dated to around 1790, the early Kansei era, and is held by the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.
- Artist
- Maruyama Okyo
- Date
- c. 1790 (early Kansei era)
- Medium / format
- Hanging scroll
About this work
Three puppies are nestled together against a pale background. A white puppy is in front, with a dark puppy and a brown one behind it, and slender reed-like grass rises on the left. Two of them look off to the left, conveying that something has caught their attention.
The museum notes that around 1771 (Meiwa 8), Okyo produced his Shasei zukan (sketch album), drawing small animals from many angles. His best-known puppy work is the 1784 Morning Glories and Puppies on cedar doors, and this painting is described as one of the works in the line of the popular puppy pictures Okyo made after that.
Okyo was born into a farming family in Tamba Province (now Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture) and brought fresh air to Kyoto painting with precise sketching and bold composition. He is also known as the founder of the Maruyama school.
Where can I see it?
Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.
Museums that hold this work
Plan your visit to Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Find places to stay, activities and rental cars for a visit to Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, which holds "Puppies".
Frequently asked questions
- Who painted Puppies, and when?
- Puppies is by Maruyama Okyo, made in c. 1790 (early Kansei era). Medium: Hanging scroll.
- Where can I see Puppies?
- It is held by Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.
Sources and references
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
- Japan Search (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
You may also like
More from Tokyo
Discover more of the same region on our sister sites.