SHUNGA

Hand-drawn comical 'shunga' (pornographic picture) scroll like cartoon, Showa period, 20th century, Japan. Open: approx. L 230cm (90.55in), Close: approx. L 14 x D 3cm (5.51 x 1.18in)...

Additional photos of this fabulous Accordion book of 12 paintings by Kimura Seiun enclosed in a wooden box titled Atami Dan Ko-gasatsu and dated early Spring of Showa 4 (1929). The introductory page is written by Zen priest Hashimoto Dokuzan of Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. The paintings are each signed with various names used by Kimura, mostly Seiun or Ren. The introductory and concluding pages are both dated 1929. It is 28 x 14 cm (5-1/2 x 11 inches) and in overall outstanding condition...

A black bird sporting a tufted beak shelters among the thick foliage of fresh bamboo by the easily identifiable and quite rare artist Sakakibara Shiho performed with pigment on silk in the original signed double wood box titled Mosochiku Hakkacho (Crested Myna Bird in Moso Bamboo), a favorite motif by the artist dating from the Taisho period. It is bordered in fine pattered silk threaded with gold and is appointed with solid ivory rollers (these will be changed if exporting)...

Antique Japanese six panel oshiebari style screen featuring six paintings in sumi ink and colors on gold leaf (kinpaku) applied paper. Collectively depicting an autumn landscape with ducks and songbirds on and above rolling hills beside a meandering shoreline. The scene punctuated with flowering bushclover (hagi), Chinese bellflowers (kikyo) and eulalia grass (susuki, alt...

Japanese rare antique 3-panel screen painting of Raigo Zu: Amida Buddha in Raigo pose. The screen has three panels with the two outer panels half the width of the central panel so they open like shrine doors. A bronze butsudan latch keeps the doors closed. The screen opens to reveal a central panel with a large image of Amida Buddha painted in mineral colors and gold on silk and framed with silk brocade of golden clouds. The outer frame is lacquered red...

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting with a tranquil scene of birds near a stream. A pair of mallard ducks swim under a tree branch where black birds and finches rest and frolic. Painted in ink and light colors on paper.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 51 3/4" high x 70 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting. The right panel has a scene of a man and woman spending a leisurely day by a stream. Deep in conversation over tea, their wealth is evident by their richly patterned robes and picnic blanket. A robe thrown over knees to keep off the chill and the orange leaves of the maple tree suggest that Autumn is here. The left hand panel has another outdoor scene of a beautiful lady and a young girl out for a stroll by a small stream...

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting of a lotus pond. Wide lotus leaves and pale pink flowers blossom on the surface of the water. A white heron comes in for a landing near a pair of Mandarin ducks. Painted in mineral pigments on silver leaf.

Age: Showa Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 38 1/2" high x 74 1/2" wide

OLD MAP

Map of an certain village in today's Niigata prefecture, Japan. Original drawing, Meiji period (1868-1912). approx. 250 x 200cm (98.42 x 78.744in). Like an abstract painting and powerful...

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father...

Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a skeleton. Realistically rendered for use in a doctor's office. Great detail and shading. Frontal view with a top view of the foot. Painted in sumi-e ink and light colors on paper. Signature seal.

Dimensions: Total size: 77 1/2" high x 27 3/4" wide (30 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 55" high x 23 1/4" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a koi jumping up a waterfall. Symbolizing strength, perseverance and aspiration, the large koi moves against the raging water which crashes below in a torrent of waves. Painted in sumi-e ink and white gofun on paper.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: Total size: 72 1/2" high x 24 3/4" wide (26 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 50 1/4" high x 20 3/4" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a tiger. Every strand of his striped fur is painted. The tiger stands under a pine tree, facing the viewer. His mouth is open, displaying large teeth. Painted in ink and light colors on paper. With artist's seals.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Total size: 74" high x 24 1/2" wide (76 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 46" high x 18 1/4" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a view of lush garden flowers. Large yellow and red poinsettia and cockscomb grow beside a bamboo fence. Painted in mineral colors on silk. Signed by 祥雲 Shо̄un ("Auspicious Cloud"). A label identifies the artist as as Nonouchi Yasutarо̄ (Nonouchi is the family name), who used the artist name Shо̄un until 1932. After that he used his original given name Yasutarо̄, but this one has the Shо̄un seal, so it should be from 1932 or earlier.)...

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a pair of skeletons dancing beneath a poem. The poem is signed Shinyodojin. Painted in ink on paper.

Dimensions: Total size: 74 1/2" high x 14" wide (15 3/4" wide including rollers). Size of art: 50 3/4" high x 9 1/2" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a ghost leering over a painted screen. The specter's long hair falls over the image of a weeping willow, a tree often associated with ghosts and spirits. Painted in ink on silk. Signed and sealed: Chokuto-sei.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Total size: 71 1/2" high x 20 1/2" wide (22 3/4" wide including roles). Size of art: 41 3/4" high x 15 3/4" wide

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a dead man being whisked away in a flaming carriage bound for hell...