Edo - Hawk screen

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1900: item #933313

A rare Edo period screen painting of a pair of dramatically stylized hawks dating to the first half of the 19th century. The signature reads Soshu and there are a number of painters of the time who used this name, the most likely of which is Yamamoto Soshu from the Nagano area who was most active during the Kaei era (1848-1854). The screen was restored and re-mounted during the earlier 20th century and framed with a fine smoke blue brocade. The image is showing handling marks around t... Click for details

Moon by Japanese Zen Priest Yamada Mumon

Japanese: Paintings: Scrolls Pre 1980: item #926940
ALR2646

Exceptional rendering of the character Moon by one of Zens most important 20th century leaders Yamada Mumon. The ink on paper image is framed in patterned copper silk and features black lacquer wooden rollers. Some faint staining, the scroll measures 17-1/2 x 59 inches (44 x 150 cm) and is in excellent condition, enclosed in a kiri-wood box. Mumon (1900-1988) studied law in his youth, but was converted to the life of Buddhism by a statement of Confucian theory which says, rather than become a... Click for details

Meiji p Nihonga Screen, Horse and Peasant Girl by Hosen

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1920: item #921022
ANR2644

A later Meiji period two panel screen, Pigment on silk, signed Hosen (Usui Hosen) dating 1900-1910. Shunkei lacquer frame with cloth backing. Quintessential for the era, the scene is brushed in an abbreviated style, allowing the viewer to participate by completing the details. Muted colors and the lack of hard lines lend the screen an ethereal quality, as if recalled from a distant memory. The screen is 56 inches x 5 feet (142 x 152 cm) and is in fine condition but for some stress in the sil... Click for details

Yamada Mumon (1900-1988) - 'The lion roars'

Japanese: Paintings: Scrolls Pre 1980: item #918026

A powerful zen message from Yamada Mumon: ''The lion roars!''. When Buddha proclaimed the Dharma, his voice was said to be like a ''lion's roar'', majestic and awe-inspriring. In zen calligraphy, the phrase means, ''Be bold and determined in your Buddhist practice like the king of the beasts!'' Also, ''Walk the talk'', that is, be up-front and direct in your Zen demeanor. In keeping with the force of the message Mumon has brushed this with exceptional vigor, literally damaging the paper in a numb... Click for details

Antique Tagasode Silver Screen with Shogun Crest

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1920: item #917258
ANR2639

Edo period Kimono hang from a lacquered frame on this gorgeous two panel silver screen dating from the turn of the 19th century. Dyed on the shoulder of the Chirimen silk lavender mans kimono is the Mitsuba-Aoi, official crest of the Tokugawa Shognate indicating the original kimono was property of the family which ruled Japan for 250 years. Below is chrysanthemum flowers (symbols of Imperial Power) embroidered over patterned Rinzu Satin. The other is completely embroidered with flower carts o... Click for details

Kajiwara Hisako (1896-1988) - 'The sounds of nature'

Japanese: Paintings: Scrolls Pre 1920: item #915530

The work is titled 'Mushi junon', or 'The sounds of nature'. A painting of a young geisha removed from her typical surroundings and enjoying the pure sounds of insects signing. The artist is showing the true emotion and feelings of the girl as opposed to using her simply as a symbol of beauty and allurement as was typical in the past. This painting dates to the late (greater) Taisho period, circa 1925/30. Painted on silk with ink, pigment and gofun the work is in reasonably good, origina... Click for details

MU! By Yamada Mumon, Japanese Zen Buddhist Art Scroll

Japanese: Paintings: Scrolls Pre 1980: item #911374
ALR2622

Exceptional rendering of the character Mu (Nothingness) by one of Zens most important 20th century leaders Yamada Mumon enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The ink on paper image is framed in patterned silk extended with pale green, and features ivory rollers. It is 26 x 52-1/2 inches (66 x 134 cm) and in excellent condition. Mumon (1900-1988) studied law in his youth, but was converted to the life of Buddhism by a statement of Confucian theory which says, rather than become a lawyer,... Click for details

Japanese Scroll Painting Rooster & Chick, Soken

Japanese: Paintings: Scrolls Pre 1800: item #908587
022255

The size of Scroll Painting: 15 3/8" W x 66 1/2" L, Image area size: 10 1/2" W x 31 1/4" L
The subject: Rooster and Chick
Artist: signed Soken lower right with Soken sealed.
Condition of scroll: very good for the age.... Click for details

Nagaii Ikka (b.1870) - Zen skull & crow

Japanese: Paintings: Scrolls Pre 1920: item #907996

A zen influenced painting of a crow on top of a skull by the nihonga artist Nagaii Ikka. Rather than being empty sockets the skull's eyes are ablaze with life and a fierce determination to cling to it. The crow appears equally determined to extinguish that life and leaves little doubt of success. The message is that death is ultimately an integral part of life and should be embraced as such rather than being something to struggle against. Dating to the earlier part of the 20th century the... Click for details

Paintings of Buddhist abbots, Japan, Muromachi era

Japanese: Paintings: Other Pre 1492: item #906386
10522

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