Commentary by Curator

"Michisei Kono was known for his detailed oil painting style and for the many illustrations he produced in his later years. He was a member of the Sodosha led by Ryusei Kishida, and was appointed teachers of the art department at Keio Gijuku Yochisha elementary school along with his fellow Sodosha member Hitoshi Seimiya in 1923 by Kishida's recommendation. In 1927, Kono was replaced by Sadao Tsubaki, and this work was donated to the Yochisha as a memorial of his teaching career. The exact dates of production and donation are unknown, but the stylistic features suggest that it was produced in the late Showa period. When the painting was restored in 2005, it was found to have numerous cracks in the painting, and the coloured layer on the trees had fallen off. The report also stated that the frames used to protect the work were weak, that the hanging brackets and strings were not strong enough, and that the glass had mold. Due to such predicament, it was decided that the restoration would consist of ""minimal symptomatic measures"", such as the removal of dirt as well as the application of anti-seizure and fillers to the damaged areas, along with replacement of the frame and the improvement and reinforcement of the fixation of the work to the frame."