Japanese scroll painting of skeletons, one dancing and one playing a shamisen. Strewn over the ground are skulls and a giant gourd filled with drink. The calligraphy on the top of the scroll states that even the great sage Boddhidaruma and the beautiful Onna no Komachi are Doitsu Byodo (the same as the rest of us) when their flesh is stripped away...

A wonderful Japanese scroll painting showing one peahen strutting underneath the cascading tail feathers of a peacock, standing upon a small rock structure. Pink and red peonies bloom around the two majestic birds. Attributed to artist Tani Bunchō (1763-1841). Size: (entire scroll) 88" height, 35.25" width (artwork only) 51.5" height, 28.5" width

Japanese scroll painting of a group of scholarly skeletons. At the top of the image, three skeletons drink tea while viewing scrolls. One skeleton displays a scroll on which the artist has signed his name. Other skeletons enjoy music played on a koto while others play go, paint scrolls and make tea. Painted in sumi-e ink and light colors on paper.

Dimensions: Total size: 78 1/2" high x 26" wide (28 1/4" wide including ends). Size of art: 52" high x 20" wide

Japanese scroll painting of 3 skeletons celebrating Obon. One skeleton dances with a fan while two others pay a drum and a shamisen. The Obon festival happens in summer and is a time to honor the dead with music, dance, parades and other events. It is believed that ancestors' spirits return to the world of the living during Obon. Painted in ink and light colors on silk...

Japanese scroll painting of two skeletons hard at work counting money. The calligraphy verse up top appears to be influenced by the Confucian scholar, Kameda Bosai and is sealed Gakubutsu. Below, the skeletons pour over accounting ledgers next to a large scale. This painted portion of the scroll is sealed Nisekisai. Painted in sumi-e ink on paper.

Dimensions: 81 1/2" high x 30 3/4" wide (33" wide including rollers). Size of art: 53" high x 26 3/4" wide

New Arrival

Japanese antique small and charming scroll painting and poem by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875). The image is of a small hut with a thatched roof...

Japanese Hand Painted scroll of a warrior in a fighting stance with sword drawn, signed by the famous print maker Yoshitoshi Mori ((1898-1992). Unusual that this is a true painting and not a woodblock print. Very Collectable Size: (total) 49" H, 19" W, (painting only) 16.5" H, 12.25" W

Antique Japanese scrol painting of a landscape with boat. The water is very still and the moon is high over a mountain in the distance. A flock of geese swoops down from the sky on the right. On the far left, an outcropping of rocks partially obscures some rural houses. A willow tree drapes itself outward over the water. With signed tomobako. Signed Tan'yu and with the seal of his given name Moninobu. Certified by Eitoku, his grandfather...

A young woman dressed in a white robe with red hakama pants is holding a folding fan and is posed to do a dance. This dress is often known as Shirabyoshi where these were sacred dances offered to the gods. The shirabyoshi figure evokes the Heian and Kamakura aesthetic and the legends contemporary to the era that portray the Shirabyoshi. Work is signed and sealed by an artist named Nanko. Age: Early 20th century. Size: height 74.25" width 22.5

Vintage Japanese Showa period ink and color on silk scrolled painting of an autumn landscape with mountains in the background and tiny horses and figures in the foreground by Kawashima Baikan (1902-1977). Black ink signature and red artist’s seal at the lower right. Signed tomobako wood presentation box. Mid-20th century. Painting: 17 5/5” x 20 1/8” (scroll: 54 1/2” x 26”). Very good overall condition.

This rare Edo period (江戸時代 1603~ 1868) silk covered accordian-fold book is hand painted on rice paper. The title and artist's seal appear on the cover. It is 9 5/8" long, 7 1/4" wide and 1" thick. The opening pages (both verso and recto) from either direction are blank, gold flaked rice paper; the end pages (bother verso and recto) are plain rice paper. The book contains 12 paintings, 6 paintings on each side...

Japanese large scroll painting of a colorful bird seated on a persimmon tree branch, a bright persimmon hanging overhead. Signature and red seal in left corner. Provenance: Collection of Trotter's Antiques, Pacific Grove CA. Size: 88" H, 19" W (entire scroll), 31" H, 11.5" W (painting only)

Ink on silk painting of Kanu Tannyu's "Portrait of Shoki". Riding a shi-shi lion Shoki was know as the Demon Slayer. Shoki was the spirit of the physician Shôki who was, according to Japanese folklore, able to scare away demons and ward off evil spirits. Signed "Hoin", this is an extremely well rendered painting exhibiting fine detailing that was achieved by using a single hair. In excellent condition, the painting measures 16" long by 8.5" high...

Japanese six panel byobu (folding screen painting). Hand-painted with imagery of realistic swimming fish and flowers with gold flecks. Signed in stylized calligraphy with 2 red chops.

Late Meiji/Early Taisho Period

Dimensions: 109" L x 53.75" H

Antique Japanese small table top screen painting. A scene depicting a Spring landscape of green rolling hills and trees. A red sun (also a symbol of Japan) hides behind a finger of haze. On the left side of the screen, butterflies flit over a lizard who is hungrily eyeing a bee. Painted in light mineral colors on silk.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 15 1/2" high x 38 3/4" long

Antique Japanese small 6-panel screen painting for table top, painted with a scene of stream and flowers, painted in mineral colors on silver leaf, the silver has oxidized a beautiful dark color, Edo Period, 18th century. Size: 18" high x 50 1/2" long

A Japanese palace scene painted by an unknown painter of the Tosa School, circa 17th century.

The Tosa School was founded in the Muromachi Period of the 15th century, and its painting was devoted to the aristocracy and its lifestyle.

Painted in pigments including silver leaf and black lacquer on paper. The fan is mounted on a paper backing sheet.

Approximately 49 cm. maximum length. 18.2 cm. width. Generally in good condition, wrinkled corners...

Japanese scroll painting depicting a scene from the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji). A nobleman and a young man sit on tatame mats and look out onto a garden setting. They are surrounded by painted byobu screens and clouds of gold mist. The painting is rendered in traditional Tosa School manner with flattened over head perspective and fine lined brushwork. Painted in mineral colors, sumi ink and gold leaf flecks on paper...