Seal of Kano Motonobu (1476-1559), Fishing in solitude, detail. Hanging scroll, ink and light colour on paper. © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst / Jürgen Liepe

BERLIN - Kano - for almost four hundred years between the 1480s and 1880s, the family name Kano in Japan served as a brand with a unified, recognisable style which delivered images of power.

Organised in a family-like network of workshops led by a male head, the Kano branch could mobilise a multitude of painters at any time from the 17th century on, who through division of labour were able to complete even large-scale projects, such as the painted interiors of castles or residences, in hardly any time. The possibility to adopt gifted disciples into the house of Kano, in many instances via marriage to female members, safeguarded continuity and fresh talent. Only the decline of their patrons from the military aristocracy in the 19th century brought this tradition to a close.

This temporary display showcases examples of Kano paintings from the collection of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst.

A Thousand Brushes With a Single Style! The House of Kano and Painting as Family Business is a temporary presentation of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Asian Art Museum) of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in Gallery 318 “Arts of Japan” at the Humboldt Forum.

Kano Kōi (ca. 1569-1636), Bodhidharma (Daruma) with just one shoe, detail. Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper. © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Klaus F. and Yoshie Naumann Collection / Jürgen Liepe

Kano Sansetsu (1589-1651), Pine trees and copper pheasant, detail. Right screen of a pair with six panels each, ink, colours and gold leaf on paper. © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst / Jürgen Liepe