The Dragon Painter

"The Dragon Painter" by Mary McNeil Fenollosa is a story set in Tokyo, about an older artist, Kano Indara, who is feeling the pressure of modern times on his traditional art. Kano is worried about who will continue his art when he is gone, then, a young, spirited painter named Tatsu appears and sparks conflict in Kano's world regarding the future of the art. The story tells more about the way art and family can connect and cause problems, especially for Kano's daughter, Umè-ko, who's caught between her father's goals and what she wants, while Kano hopes Tatsu will become the next great "Dragon Painter," showing how the old ways can meet the new.