National Treasure Gallery: Portrait of Takami Senseki
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Portrait of Takami Senseki, By Watanabe Kazan, Edo period, dated 1837 (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
March 15, 2016 (Tue) - April 10, 2016 (Sun)This is a portrait of Takami Senseki (1785–1858), a top-ranking samurai official of Koga domain, Shimosa province, who was posted in the capital of Edo (now Tokyo). It was painted by Watanabe Kazan (1793–1841), a retainer of Tahara domain, Mikawa province. Senseki was Kazan’s senior in Western studies and although their respective domains were of different sizes, they shared a close relationship through their mutual concern for Japan’s future.
The inscription on this portrait of Senseki dates it to the 15th day of the 4th month of 1837. Doi Toshitsura, who was Senseki’s lord and serving as the keeper of Osaka Castle, suppressed the rebellion of Oshio Heihachiro. Senseki went to his lord’s family temple, Seiganji in Edo, in place of his lord in order to convey the news. On his return, he visited Kazan, which is when Kanzan created this portrait of him in formal attire.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Portrait of Takami Senseki | By Watanabe Kazan | Edo period, dated 1837 | A-9972 |