Antique Japanese large painting of carp escaping a net, painted in mineral colors with raised gofun for net and gold details, painted on silk and framed without glass. Painter: Mr. Tensyo Matsunaga. Born in Gifu Prefecture 12th year of Meiji Period (1880). He mastered Maruyama School style of drawing such as flowers and birds under Mr. Gyokusho Kawabata. His carp drawings are excellent and highly prized. His paintings of carp have been purchased by the Royal Family. A small piece of paper on the frame states that this painting was owned by the Koga royal family. It is presumed to be in honor of a happy event in the age of Mr. Koga Tatemichi (1815-1903) who became famous by interceding the union of the Imperial Court and the Shogunate when he was a minister for the Emperor Komyo. Koga Family: The noble court family of Koga is a direct descendent of the Murakami Genji family. The founder of the family of Koga is Shimofusa, the grandchild of the Emperor Murakami (who reigned from 946-967 AD). Originally the name was Naka-no-in which then became Koga after the Kamakura Period because the family owned a villa in the Koga area in Yamashiro (Kyoto) province. Total size: 91" high x 43 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" deep (frame).