Early Showa era - bijin screen

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1940: item #821815

Nostalgic in sentiment and vivid in color, images of beautiful country women were a favorite subject of nihonga painters in the early 20th century. This two-fold screen by an unknown artist dates to the early Showa era, circa 1935. Engaged in a the timeless pastoral activity of hanging persimmons to dry, a young country lady sits on a cypress wood deck engrossed in and thoroughly at ease with her task. The bold geometrical design of her kimono speaks strongly of the early Showa period, perhaps a... Click for details

Taisho bjijin screen

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1930: item #821813

A two-fold screen from the later Taisho period (1912-1926) touching upon the subject of aging beauty. Traditionally Japanese paintings of bijin or beauties didn't convey the personality of the individual, rather they were symbols of a feminine ideal. The powerful portrayal of this older woman and the deep sense of sadness and introspection that she evokes presents a striking, rare and early development in the genre. In addition to the largely Western concept of depicting women naturally, the art... Click for details

19c doll screen - bird and flower

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1900: item #817967

A small six-fold doll or hina screen from the 19th century. A wonderfully interwoven composition, rich in symbolism, color and movement. Clouds cloak the background, their edges defined by sprinkled tsunago or gold flecks. The flow of the stream is mimicked by the blooming plum tree whose weighty trunk anchors the scene. A variety of bird-life intersperses the landscape adding movement and a sense of immediacy. Plum blossoms symbolize early spring and often the innocence of youth, bamboo longevi... Click for details

Edo Japanese Buddhist Silver Screen, Amidha

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1900: item #817597
ANR2439

An age darkened silver screen decorated with four ancint Buddhist images performed with pigmen on silk tablets. Outside are two Boddhisatva in a welcoming position with two dedications to Nyorai in the center. The silver field is enclosed in a simple black lacquered wooden frame held with plum shaped nails, the frame much worn with time. The screen is roughly 2 feet by 32 inches (60 x 82 cm). The back of the screen has some holes and wear to the ancient blue paper, but is solid with strong h... Click for details

Pair of two-fold crane screens

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1940: item #817579

A pair of nihonga screens dating to the early Showa period, circa 1930. Likely to be two pairs of mated cranes, they are engaging in series of unison calling. The male lifts up his wings during the unison call while the female keeps her wings folded at her sides. The birds stand in a specific posture, usually with their heads thrown back and beaks skyward during the display. All cranes also engage in a variety of forms of dancing unrelated to courtship. The smaller and less interested crane ... Click for details

Taisho bijin

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1930: item #816313

A small two-fold screen from the Taisho period (1912-1926) depicting an early evening scene of a bijin or beautiful lady lighting a hanging oil lamp. Her hand is sheltering the flame as she prepares to place it inside the iron lantern. Her kimono is decorated with a bold dragonfly design symbolic of summer and her elaborately set hair indicates that she is employed within the floating world. The signature reads Tosen me, with the 'me' meaning woman. We have been unable to trace her although almo... Click for details

Taisho - Finches & autumn foliage

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1920: item #815268

A gorgeous two-fold nihonga screen from the Taisho period (1912-1926) featuring a group of finches socializing amongst vibrant autumnal foliage. The birds are remarkably human in their interaction and their stylized and abbreviated features enhance their presence. The leaves are turning at slightly differing rates and the artist has utilized an exceptional array of hues and colors, ranging from deep plum to golden yellow and even touches of spring green. The work has been painted on silk with... Click for details

Suzuki Kason (1860-1919) - white heron and reeds

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1920: item #810400

A two-fold furosaki or tea ceremony screen by the Meiji period artist Suzuki Kason. Dating to his later years (post 1900) the work is a fine example of the Japanese sense of abstract design that defines the Maruyama-Shijo school of art. Reeds reach out from the bank of the river and denote the fore and background with subtly nuanced ink brushwork. The open gold leaf ground brings to mind a hot summers day. The single heron has been brushed with gofun (a gesso-like substance created from powder... Click for details

Japanese Antique Screen Painting with Fans

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1910: item #807201

Wonderful Japanese 2-panel byobu screen painting, 2 intricately painted Meiji Period fans, probably once used in a Noh performance and later mounted on a screen, each fan is painted in colorful mineral pigments with gold leaf, the fan on the left depicts white wild flowers blossoming near a meandering stream with billowing gold mist, the fan on the right is painted with a scene of 3 cranes flying over sea crests and a weeping willow tree, the two fans are mounted on a ground of gold flecks... Click for details

Shisen (b.1855) Two-fold bird and flower screen

Japanese: Paintings: Screens Pre 1910: item #795962

A two-fold kacho-e or bird and flower screen from the Meiji period (1868-1912). In this refreshing and cooling composition ideally suited to display during the early summer months, a stream drifts slowly between the rounded green banks. The two small birds appear unhurried as they move toward the blooming hibiscus. Against the beautifully patinated silver leaf the pigments are rich and the brushwork strongly defined. The screen itself and the painting is in very good condition, although the b... Click for details