Kano (family), family of Japanese painters that originated in the 15th century and persisted until the 19th century. As official court painters under successive shoguns, the Kano led the art movements of several centuries. They produced works in a wide variety of styles—ranging from highly colored scenes to delicate black-and-white ink drawings—but always tended to represent the professional, decorative school of painting as opposed to the more austere tradition of the amateur scholar-artist.

The family was founded by Masanobu (1453-90), who based his style on that of Chinese ink painting, which relied on monochromatic ink washes for its subtle and usually delicate effects. His son Motonobu (1476-1539) continued the idealistic style of his father, while introducing the firm brush line that characterized much of later Kano painting. The giant of the family was Eitoku (1543-90), whose grandiose, highly colored panels and screens set a new standard of power and sumptuousness, although he was also capable of painting in the subdued, expressive ink style of his forebears.

In 1621 the Kano family split into two branches, one in Kyôto, the other in Tokyo, or Edo; principal representatives were Sanraku (1559-1635), Tanyu (1602-47), Naonobu (1607-50), Sansetsu (1590-1651), and Tsunenobu (1636-1713). The family's work continued in the tradition of Eitoku, characterized by brilliant displays of color and detail, which are saved from ostentation or vulgarity by a firm underpinning of strong brush strokes and bold design.