Maruyama Ōkyo "Ryūzu (Dragon)" Mini Hanging Scroll | Masterpiece Art Print

Mini Hanging Scroll

Size: 28 cm wide × approximately 75 cm high
Artwork material: Special silk-like fabric (Shinkenpon)
Roller ends: Resin
Storage: Paper storage box included

Maruyama Ōkyo

Maruyama Ōkyo (1733–1795) was a painter active in Kyoto during the mid-Edo period and is known as the founder of the Maruyama school. He emphasized shasei, the careful observation and depiction of actual subjects, portraying animals, plants, and landscapes with naturalness and vitality.

His distinctive style combined the traditional beauty of Japanese painting with Western techniques such as perspective and shading. His representative works include Pine Trees in Snow, and he had a profound influence on later generations of painters in Kyoto.

Ryūzu (Dragon)

Maruyama Ōkyo’s Ryūzu, painted in 1794 during his later years, depicts a gigantic dragon emerging from dark clouds. Its wide-open eyes, sharp horns, and powerful claws are rendered in a dramatic composition, capturing the creature soaring through the sky amid swirling clouds.

The soft gradations of the clouds contrast with the finely detailed form of the dragon. Although the dragon is an imaginary creature, Ōkyo’s emphasis on observation gives it a striking sense of life and physical presence. In East Asian tradition, the dragon is an auspicious symbol of strength, prosperity, and protection from misfortune. This work combines dynamic power with mysterious dignity.

Mini Hanging Scroll

This compact hanging scroll is designed to resemble a traditionally mounted scroll. The decorative fūtai strips are integrated into the upper fabric, and the roller ends are made of resin. Its compact size makes it as easy to display as a poster, while its affordable price allows you to enjoy Japanese art casually.

High-Definition Art Reproduction with Hand-Applied Color

The artwork is reproduced on specially prepared Shinkenpon, a silk-like fabric, using advanced giclée printing technology also employed by major museums worldwide for fine-art reproductions. The final details are enhanced with hand-applied color to create a more vivid and realistic appearance. The materials offer excellent resistance to light and ozone, helping preserve the original colors and beauty over time.