A set of five Meiji period lacquer dishes, the black surface of each uniquely decorated by the best and brightest students of Kono Bairei. Included are Yamamoto Shunkyo, Tsuji Kako, Takeuchi Seiho, Kikuchi Hobun and Taniguchi Kokyo. A beautifully painted lantern-seed pod shows the delicat touch of Shunkyo. Pine cones by Kako show his penchant for abstraction, and the insect on wide green leaves is unmistakably Seiho. Hobuns green leaves and gourd are more detailed, the spinning vines searchi... Click for details
Framed image of a Buddhist Tower, Ancient paper underlies the 7 storied woodblock printed Pagoda with colourful deities visible in its windows, the tower itself made up of hundreds of tiny characters forming a prayer. There are minor losses to the original surface attesting to the great age of the work, which is from the late Muromachi to early Edo era (likely 16th century). It is bordered in brown cloth enclosed in a black lacquered wooden frame. The frame measures 25 x 66 inches (63 x 167 c... Click for details
Dated Kanbun 6th year (1666) and signed Hoin, is this late 19th century rendition of Kanu Tannyu's "Portrait of Shoki". Shoki, The Demon Slayer, was the spirit of the physician Shōki who was, according to Japanese folklore, able to scare away demons and ward off evil spirits. A very well rendered painting exhibiting fine detailing achieved by using a single hair. Some of the detail or accent colors are gold gild, white, and red. Mounted on paper and in excellent condition, it measures (p... Click for details
This is a superb watercolor of an important personage arriving in a
Palanquin and being greeted by a group of samurai and attendants. It is clear that one of the attendants is holding the reins of a magnificent black stallion on which the personage is to ride. The person in the palanquin must have been either a Daimyo (*1) or even a Shogun(*2) to rate such a reception.
Alternating pages of paintings and calligraphy show the mastery of brush for which Kodojin is known. Elegant running cursive lines and strict crisp characters extol virtues between seasonal imagery. The scene of medaka fish is particularly compelling in its freshness and sense of life while the stark ancient pine is unmistakably Kodojin. The snail in soft color is quite an unusual scene signed with his poetic name Haritsu. The book is covered in sea blue satin with a signed dark blue sleeve ... Click for details
A set of five small kashiki sweets dishes made of a paper, each with a unique poem signed Haritsu (poetry name of Fukuda Kodojin) enclosed in an old wooden box. These were likely brushed in commemoration of some event at which the artist attended. Gassaku such as this were often created on the spot in celebration of an event or literati gathering. Each dish is just less than 4 inches (9.5 cm) square and in excellent condition. Kodojin (1865-1944) was a true scholar, and represents a forgotten... Click for details
Splashes of raw color decorate the dark black surface of this thin tray by Avant-garde Kyoto painter Domoto Insho enclosed in the original wooden box. The piece is 15-1/2 inches (39.5 cm) diameter and is in excellent condition. The artists brother was also a lacquer artist, and may have made this box for his sibling to paint. Insho (b. 1891) was a Kyoto artist, trained in the traditional Shijo manner, but not one to be bound by its rigidity. He studied at the Kyoto Municipal School of Fine ... 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
A samurai – Watonai Sankan, or Kashiwade no Hanoshi - in full armour killing a tiger in a bamboo bush. Black ink and some color on paper. Unsigned. The manner and subject matter of Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Japan, 19th century.
Measurements: 15 x 10 5/8 inches (38.2 x 26.9 cm).
Slightly creased, one earmark, backed. Mainly very good condition.
Painting of pine tree hanging over a fast flowing stream. Some flowering plant meandering through the branches. Unsigned. Black ink and some color on paper. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.
Measurements: 14 x 10 7/8 inches ().
Yellowed, backed wormage, backed.
