A collection of 12 scholar stone silk paintings placed in an album of gold flecked paper wrapped in rough silk and enclosed in a hard binding with bone clasps, which is in-turn enclosed in a Kiri wood box signed and dated 1917 Titled Miyoshi Ranseki Jishitsu JuHi ZenSeki Saku. The four character opening comment is signed Yoshinobu (Chinese Ruyan?), and the epilogue (written posthumously) signed La-O (Ra-O). The paintings themselves, all likely by the same hand, bear a number of signatures and ... Click for details
Two paintings of a abbots or patriarch sitting on a small pedestal. One of them holds a vajra in the right hand and a tip of his garment in the left hand. His sandals are underneath the pedestal as well as a ewer. The other priest holds a flat device in his right hand and a tip of his garment in his left hand. Underneath the pedestal are his sandals. Very detailed painting. Black ink, mineral colors, gofun and gold on loosely woven silk (ca. 30 over 14 threads). Japan, ca 14/15th century.... Click for details
Buddhist pearls lie nestled in the cleft of a garden stone in this radically brushed large Zen scroll dated 1902 by Suzuki Shonen enclosed in the original Signed box. Bamboo shades the mushroom of eternity, and the red stone is reminiscent of a cluster of coral, from which prayer beads were popularly made. The painting is bordered in forest green brocade scattered with nobori kiri crests, and features massive ivory rollers. The scroll measures 29 1/2 x 79 1/2 inches (75 x 202 cm). Shonen lea... Click for details
A dry ink on paper image of mushrooms growing up along a garden stone dated 1874 by Tani Nyoi (1822-1905). The scene is signed Nyoisanjin, and dated the second month of 1874 hemmed in by origami cranes on cream satin in a field of rough pale green silk and features dark rosewood rollers. The style is very much in the literati tradition predominant during the early Meiji. The dry vigorous strokes evoke a sense of fleeting solidity, as if wind were about to blow the light paper away. And certa... Click for details
Simplicity defines these two literati images dating from the mid 19th century by scholar/artist Tanomura Chokunyu enclosed in a period wooden box. The ink on paper images are of a contemplation stone (Taiko-seki) and magical mushroom. Above the stone is written FukiChoki, A Long, Bountiful and Prosperous Season (era). Above the Mushroom is written Hyakugoto Nyoi, Everything According to Plan. They are brushed in a weak solution of very wet ink onto the crisp paper, the ink poolling to the cen... Click for details
A moss covered scholar stone image in pigment and ink on silk signed Sosso and dated 1928 enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The image is vigorously brushed with both dry and wet strokes alternating, creating a sublime sense of depth. The scroll is 13-1/2 by 78 inches (34 x 198 cm) and is in fine condition, mounted in shimmering green silk with red lacquered rollers.
The lurid wet ink shows clearly the boneless style which defines this artists greatest works. Gold flake is scattered delicately over the silk surface, almost unnoticeable yet bringing out the power in the scene. The ink on silk painting is bordered in patterned blue silk in a field of beige and features wooden rollers. Possibly originally an album page, it has been fully remounted at some time in the past (20th century). The scroll measures 14-1/2 by 40-1/4 inches (36.5 x 102 cm). Aside fr... Click for details
A painting of a zazen skeleton dating to the 19th century, likely the first half. The inscription reads as follows: "Sickness is bliss, everything else is misery--look at this guy still trying to figure this out! Painted and inscribed by the King of Hell's assistant". The artist remains unidentified. The inscription is a crazy poem (kyoka) in crazy, winding brushwork. The meaning, apparently, is that once you realize that sickness and ultimately death are integral parts of life and do not try to... Click for details
A painting of a Taiko-seki scholar stone signed Ki-o and dated 1921 enclosed in the original signed kiri-wood box. The ink on paper image is set in a field of patterned green silk and features rosewood rollers. It measures 18 x 83 ½ inches (46 x 212 cm). There is some wrinkling and the box has been insect eaten (although no insect damage to the scroll). We can arrange for restoration if desired.
A sedate view of two dark stones performed with a very dry brush on rough hand-made mulberry paper signed The 90 year old Kozan (Kai Kozan, b. 1871) and enclosed in the original wooden box which is in turn enclosed in a red lacquered wooden box (ni-ju-bako). The powerful image is wrapped in patterned green silk extended with beige and features solid ivory rollers. The scroll is 27 x 54 Inches (68 x 137 cm) and in excellent condition. The scroll is the work of Kai Kozn, a Kyoto based artist bo... Click for details
