Some insignificant light marks and light foxing are present on the painting itself, otherwise the painting is in very good condition with age. Some insignificant light marks and a small scrach is present on the scroll end, otherwise it is in very good condition. It is mounted on beatifu...

Some insignificant light marks and light foxing are present on the painting itself, otherwise the painting is in very good condition. The scroll mounting is in very good condition with the age. It is accompanied by a paulownia wood storage box.

Painting: W6 1/8” x H31 1/4” (W15.5cm x H79.5cm)
Scroll: W10 5/8"x H63” (W27cm x H160cm)

The hermit seems to be relaxing under the plum tree, as if meditating. It is depicted with so much presence that he almost pop off the screen. The soft hair is made with plenty of gofun(which is slightly lost), and the work is beautifully painted in detail, as if we can feel the texture of the skin.

Mori Shumei(1892-1951) was born into a family of priests, he aspired to become a Japanese pai...

Shirakura Kanyu(1896-1974) was a Nanga painter(the Southern school of Chinese painting), born in Niigata Prefecture in Japan. He studied under Hattori Goro(1869-1930), and after moving to Tokyo he studied Western painting under Hakutei Ishii(1882-1958).Afterwards, he returned to Nanga, and after moving to Kyoto, studied under Tajika Chikuson(1864-1922). He exhibited mainly at the Teiten imperial art Exhibiti...

Some light marks are present on the painting itself, otherwise the painting is in very good antique/vintage condition. Some insignificant light marks are present on the scroll mounting, otherwise the piece is diplayed well and in very good condition. It is accompanied by an original paulownia wood storage box with the artist’s signature and seal.

Painting: W11” x H53...

Bodhidharma is a monk who is said to be the founder of Zen Buddhism in China. Although there are many legends about him, and some things are unknown during his lifetime, it is certain that he was a real person, and he is important as the founder of Zen Buddhism, a form of Buddhism that developed independently in China and then Japan.

Kanokogi Takeshiro(1870-1941) studied painting techniques with Sangorō Matsuyama in his homet...

Mujinzo - 無尽蔵:

Inexhaustible is a phrase taken from the poem "Inexhaustible in all things" by the Chinese Song Dynasty poet Su Dongba. In Zen, if you let go of attachment, there will be no earthly desires or delusions. There is an infinite world in nothingness or emptiness, where there should be nothing.

Signed by the monk from Myoshinji temple which is Japan's largest Zen temple.

So...

Ogiwara Seisensui (1884 – 1976) was a Japanese haiku poet active during the Taishō and Shōwa periods of Japan. Although he attended Seisoku Junior High School, Ogiwara was expelled after publishing a student newspaper criticizing the school's educational methods and administration. After entering Azabu Junior High School, he quit drinking and smoking, seriously engage...

Ichiyo Kannon/guanyin Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy with heart sutra. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed and sealed. It is dated as painted in 1922.

It is based on a legend that is said the Kannon Bodhisattva saved Zen Master Dogen(1200-1253) while he was traveling to China for Zen Buddhism. On the way home, he was hit by a terrible storm, so he recited the kannon heart Sutra with all the heart, the Kannon Bodhisattva appeared on the lotus petal, and the wind and rain cal...

Katsuda Tetsu(1896-1980) was a Japanese painter from the Taisho(1912-1926) and Showa era (1926-1989). He studied Western painting at Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He turned to Japanese painting and became an apprentice to Yamamoto Shunkyo(1872-1933) in 1923. He graduated from Kyoto City Painting College (currently Kyoto City University of Arts) in 1930.His history paintings ``Amak...

Katsuda Tetsu(1896-1980) was a Japanese painter from the Taisho(1912-1926) and Showa era (1926-1989). He studied Western painting at Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He turned to Japanese painting and became an apprentice to Yamamoto Shunkyo(1872-1933) in 1923. He graduated from Kyoto City Painting College (currently Kyoto City University of Arts) in 1930.His history ...

Mochizuki Gyokusei(1900−1951）was a Japanese painter born in Kyoto. He was a pupil of prominent artists Nishiyama Suisho (1879-1958) as well as his father Mochizuki Gyokukei (1874-1938). Gyokusei graduated from and taught at the Kyoto Municipal School of Arts and Crafts and the Kyoto Municipal Special School of Painting for further art education in Kyoto. H...

Suga Tatehiko(1878-1963)was a Japanese painter from the Meiji to Showa periods. He himself how to paint and also researched the true nature of the profession. He drew historical paintings and street customs in Osaka. He was awarded the Art Academy Imperial Prize in 1955 and bestowed Honorary citizen of Osaka City in 1962.

Some marks and foxing are present o...

Some insignificant light marks, insignificant light crease and foxing are present on the both painting, insignificant light marks are present on the mounting, otherwise the piece is in very good vintage/antique condition with the age. It is accompanied by an aged paulownia wood storage box.

Painting: W12 1/4” x H51 1/8” (W31cm x H130cm)
Scroll: W16” x H76 3/4” (W40.5cmx H195cm)

The meaning of the word "flower bloom(花開)" in Zen wording is to become free of mind. It signifies the splendor of eternal time that can be felt by attaining the precious state of enlightenment.

Yamada Mumon(1900-1988) was a zen monk from the Showa era. He studied under Kawaguchi Keikai and later studied at Ri...