The overall size, not including the mounting shafts, is approximately 213cm x 46cm. Noticeable stains. Brief Biography of Outei Kaneko 1906 (Meiji 39) Born in Amedarishi Village, Kojima Village, Matsumae District, Hokkaido (present-day Shizuura, Matsumae Town) (Real name: Kenzo) 1916 (Taisho 5) At the age of 10, in the 4th grade of Era Elementary School, he was highly praised for his calligraphy by Mr. Kichijiro Iida, and became interested in calligraphy. 1922 (Taisho 11) At the age of 16, he visited the home of Kakudo Otsuka and learned about the vastness of the world of calligraphy. 1932 (Showa 7) At the age of 26, he went to Tokyo. He studied calligraphy at the calligraphy school of Tenrai Hidai. After that, he exhibited at various exhibitions and calligraphy exhibitions, and received many awards. 1964 (Showa 39) At the age of 58, he founded the Sogen Calligraphy Association and became its chairman. 1966 (Showa 41) At the age of 60, he held his first solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi. Received the Minister of Education Award at the Nitten Exhibition. 1967 (Showa 42) At the age of 61, he received the Japan Art Academy Award. 1970 (Showa 45) At the age of 64, the Matsumae Castle stone monument was completed. 1983 (Showa 58) At the age of 77, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Third Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. 1986 (Showa 61) At the age of 80, he donated his works to the Hakodate Museum of Art. The Outei Memorial Room was opened in the museum. 1987 (Showa 62) At the age of 81, he was recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit and received the Mainichi Art Award. 1989 (Heisei 1) At the age of 83, he received the Hokkaido Development Merit Award. 1990 (Heisei 2) At the age of 84, he received the Order of Culture. He was honored as an honorary citizen of Matsumae Town. 1992 (Heisei 4) At the age of 86, he received a letter of appreciation from the government for 30 consecutive years of writing the inscriptions for the national memorial service for the war dead. 1994 (Heisei 6) At the age of 88, a statue of Outei Kaneko was erected in Matsumae Town. 2001 (Heisei 13) At the age of 95, he passed away on November 5th. He was conferred the rank of Junior Third Rank by the Emperor.