Antique Japanese pair of paintings depicting two dragons in a dense mist. Gold flashes light up the clouds. Symbolizing the ultimate yang, or masculine energy, the dragon is the controller of both winds and water. Painted in sumi and gold ink on silk and signed by the artist. Both panels are loose (unmounted). Dates from 1834 or later by painter Kanō Seisen'in Osanobu (1796-1846) Some biographical information here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG4764 Here he's using the name Kaishinsai (in modern character forms 会心斎) and title Hōin (法印), which he received in 1834. The way it's signed here is: 會心齋法印筆 Kaishinsai Hōin-hitsu "Painted by Kaishinsai Hōin" with seal: 中務法印 Nakatsukasa Hōin Nakatsukasa refers to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_the_Center but I suspect it's more specifically "Chief Administrator of the Ministry of the Center", as this other work of his has a seal specifying 中務卿: http://www.spmoa.shizuoka.shizuoka.jp/collection/museum_collection/detail/2112 Another work with the same 4-character seal is here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1881-1210-0-1354 & another of his dragons is here: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/25808

Age: Edo Period

Dimensions: 37 1/4" high x 6 7/8" wide (each panel)