The ink painting displays a stylized tiger moving through a rocky terrain among the churning waves of the sea. This piece of artwork has been created using traditional East Asian monochrome ink and wash technique, which is typical of the Kanō School of paintings.
The tiger is placed in the middle of the painting on a large rock formation. The tiger is looking downward with its eyes wide open, claws bared, and body curved in a position of curiosity and alertness. There are stripes painted on the body of the tiger. The long wavy tail of the tiger has been placed towards the upper left corner of the painting. Underneath the animal, the waves, depicted in a stylized manner, break on the shore with their foam crests splashing into the scene with strokes and brush marks. The background includes the rugged rocky wall to the right covered in delicate foliage coming out of cracks in it. The general color scheme is monochromatic, with different shades of gray and black ink washes contrasted with a light weathered background paper. This painting displays the unique style of brushwork that is evident in the works of Naonobu. This painting makes use of contrast by using heavy and broad brushstrokes to depict the rocks while using soft ink washes to create the intricate patterns in the tigers' fur.
This art piece has quite an amazing contrast between the fierce tiger and the gentle strokes of the traditional black and white ink painting. The tiger is majestic and fearless as he looks down on the ocean from a rocky cliff, but he has a curious and watchful look on his face, not a savage one. His body takes a graceful curve that flows along with his tail in a most lifelike way. The strokes of the artist are precise and skillful, capturing the very essence of the beauty of nature and the courage and fearlessness of the tiger. While the strokes for the rocks are bold and dark, those for the plants are light and delicate.
