"Hotei in a Boat" is one of Hakuin's signature themes and this is a particularly fine example. The inscription reads "Above the river, a half moon: In the boat, a single robed monk". Daruma represents Zen insight, Kannon represents Zen compassion, and Hotei represents Zen freedom. Daruma's expression is severe, Kannon's expression is serene, and Hotei's expression is joyful. Hotei's smile in this painting is especially sweet and happy. In Buddhist iconography the boat symbolizes the Dharma teach... Click for details
A pair of zen paintings by the master Nantenbo and his disciple Deiryu featuring the classical Mendicant Monks theme. The inscription of the monks coming by Nantenbo reads as follows; "Trainee monks of the four seas, Begging bowls in hand chanting like thunder, In their straw (hats) returning home". The inscription is a bit puzzling at first. The initial two lines are usually brushed on Zenga of monks coming (which is what is depicted here) but the second half is used on paintings of monks going... Click for details
An early Showa period painting by Tadaoto Kainosho dating to the mid 1930's. The title of the work is 'Morika', which loosely translates to 'a sense of longing for one's hometown'. The iris, flowering in the early summer, is stirring deep emotions within the lady who exudes a haunting beauty for which Kainosho is famed. Rather than applying the traditional Japanese aesthetic sense of beauty he observed and captured the true essence of his subjects. In this respect he was unique and his paintings... Click for details
A large Edo period set of 12 hand-painted amorous scenes performed in pigment on paper and mounted as a long hand scroll. It is 15 inches (39 cm) by 24 feet (7.3 meters) and comes enclosed in a fine black lacquered wooden box. Each scene is performed in typical fine Ukiyoe style. Each scene is roughly 13-1/2 x 18 inches (34 x 46 cm). There is some staining, toning and marks typical of age. See photos for more details. Although the paintings appear to be later Edo, the current scroll itself... Click for details
Perfection through contemplation of a stone…there is a lot to ponder in this makimono showing studies of stones dated 1928 and signed the old man Unho. 20 various rock clusters are depicted, from dark stone to crystals in various arrangements for the Keido practice of creating scenery. It is wrapped in green patterned silk and features bone rollers, enclosed in a signed wooden box. The scroll is 7-1/4 inches (18.5 cm) wide, and over 17-1/2 feet (5.1 meters) long, overall in fine condition. O... Click for details
An exceptional ink painting of a waterfall by Mochizuki Gyokusen (1834-1913) likely dating to the late 19th century. Gyokusen painted a series named One Hundred Waterfalls from 1888 to 1891, and this work would hail from a similar time in his career. Painted with ink and sprinkled mica on silk the waterfall is painted with great realism and by extension Western influence although his techniques are still firmly grounded in the Japanese tradition.
The painting is in very good original conditi... Click for details
A very decorative circular scroll dated 1927 signed Chigusaya Dojin and enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A soft spring rain seems to cut diagonally across the lush scene of blue hills and rolling water. Color on silk, it is bordered in vibrant green and features solid ivory rollers. The scroll measures 14-3/4 by 48-1/2 inches (37.5 x 123 cm) and is in excellent condition.
A scholar sits alone in a whitewashed hut lost in autumn foliage in this fine landscape by prominent artist Hirai Baisen (1889-1969) enclosed in the original signed wooden box dating circa 1920. The scroll typifies the dreamy Taisho period from which it hales. The wispy character is lost in thought, perhaps contemplating the autumn of his own life as hae gazes at the trees, or perhaps it is the autumn of a hopeful age of democracy which would shortly be brought to an end with the rise of imper... Click for details
A kanabun bright blue insect climbs slowly up a broad leafed flower on this early 20th century silk scroll by master painter Nishiyama Suisho (1879-1958). It is bordered in pale blue cloth patterned with swirling ripples, the ichimonji featuring a pattern of water-skippers, a great summer reference, and features solid ivory rollers. The scroll measures 22 x 54-1/2 inches (56 x 137.5 cm) and is in fine condition but for some faint age spotting, enclosed in a period wooden box. Nishiyama Suisho... Click for details
Lovely antique Japanese scroll painting of a beauty, lavishly dressed in a flowing kimono decorated with a large koi fish, her hair is elaborately done up in the style of a courtesan, painted in sumi ink and light colors on paper, lovely silk and gold brocade border, Edo Period (c 1850)
Total size: 69" high x 16" wide (18 1/4" wide including ends)
