Specialties
|
Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) - Sake cup
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Tea Articles:
Pre 1900 item# 1126481
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$3500
|
A Rengetsu-yaki sake cup with a poem written in iron oxide by Otagaki Rengetsu. ''I walk along the shore trying to pick out jewels (words), Beautiful enough to describe the sight of the Autumn moon over Akashi Bay''. Rengetsu likens a walk along the seashore picking out colorful pebbles and shells, to picking out the right words to describe a beautiful scene, in this case the autumn moon over Akashi Bay in the Inland Sea. It would indeed be a delight to drink sake from this cup during autumn moon-viewing at Akashi Bay. The box is signed by Sasaki Hirotsuna (1828-1891), a poet and literary scholar. On the box, he has written one of his own poems: ''Look! At Sakazuki, In the moonlight, People look like Ancient trees''. The cup is being sent to Takanori-kun (one of Hirotsuna’s students?), and dated, autumn, Meiji 2 (1870). It is possible that Hirotsuna got this cup directly from Rengetsu Translation/commentary by John Stevens
The cup has one chip which has been repaired with gold lacquer.
2.9 cm high and 6.5 cm in diameter (1.15'' by 2.5'').
|
|
Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) - Stoneware tea bowl
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Tea Articles:
Pre 1900 item# 1126477
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$3200
|
An olive-green glazed stoneware tea cup by Otagaki Rengetsu. The hand carved poem reads, ''The tiny pines, Along the shore of Sumi-no-e, Have been appearing for how many generations''? The published version of this poem has toshigoto ni (“year after year”) but the poem on this bowl has a variation which I cannot decipher. However, whatever it reads the meaning is likely the same. The area known as Sumi-no-E was famous for the pine trees growing along its shore. When Rengetsu was visiting there she noticed the tiny pines sprouting around of the base of the ancient trees. The tiny pines will eventually become huge trees themselves perpetuating the life of the forest. Translation and commentary by John Stevens.
The tea bowl is boxed and in perfect condition.
It stands 7.5 cm high and has a diameter of 11 cm (3'' by 4.3'').
|
|
|
|
Fugai Ekun (1568-1654) - Hotei
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1700 item# 1125338
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$12,000
|
An image of Hotei resting on his oversized sack by Fugai Ekun, the, the first and perhaps the greatest of Zenga masters in terms of Zen spirit fused with technical prowess. Like Daruma, Fugai spent a number of years living in a cave; it is said when Fugai ran out of provisions, he would hang out a painting in front of his cave to exchange for rice and vegetables. Since the local folk who received such Fugai paintings treasured them so highly they would keep them hanging for decades, even centuries, in their smoky farmhouses. This particular work has largely escaped such treatment and is in good overall condition. It is presently mounted with momigami paper in the tea ceremony style.
The image measures 31'' by 11.5'' (78 by 29 cm). The scroll measures 69'' by 16'' (176 by 40 cm).
|
|
Obaku Kosen (1633-1695) - Daruma
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1700 item# 1125152
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$3200
|
An exceptional image of Daruma by the emigre Chinese monk Obaku Kosen (1633-1695).
Ink on paper. Overall the painting is in good condition though essentially it is in need of a re-mount due to creasing. The fine brocade dates to the Edo period.
The image measures 38'' by 10'' (97 by 26 cm). The scroll measures 71.5'' by 14'' (182 by 36 cm).
Kosen was one of the most influential of all the emigre Obaku zen monks and is also known as one of it finest calligraphers. Kosen originally studied under Ingen in China before being called to Japan in 1661. He was much admired by the Emperor Gomizuno-o and the Emperor's son Shinkei became a disciple of Kosen. In 1692 the Shogunate directed Kosen to become the fifth abbot of Manpukuji and during his tenure the temple underwent tremendous change and growth.
|
|
Early 17th c. - Tale of Genji screen
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1700 item# 1124928
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
contact
|
This important early 17th century screen shows a selection of scenes from the 11th century novel Tales of Genji. This particular screen exhibits a number of outstanding features including unusually large figures, the brilliant coloring of their kimono and the surrounding sliding doors and the remarkable depth and resonance of the golf leaf. The sweeping, graceful composition takes us from the top right scene to Genji observing the game of Go, down along the raised walkway and finally along to the musical scene in the lower center.
The screen is in very good condition for its age. It has undergone past restorations, though they have always been handled appropriately. Presently the screen is ready for display although the hinges have become a little weak. Re-mounting is an option though certainly not essential.
|
|
Yusei Kuninobu (1787-1840) - Bird & flower diptych
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1900 item# 1124550
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$7500
|
Two exotic fruits from the Chinese mainland feature in this pair of kachoe scrolls. On the right is Yangmei, sometimes known as Yumberry in the west. The left scroll features Mangosteen. We would be less surprised to see such exotic mainland subjects appearing in the work of Nagasaki school artists, far more rarely from a prominent Kano school artist.
Painted on silk with ink and color both paintings are in very good condition. The colors are rich and the silk clean. If anything the left one has been more exposed to light than the right, creating a slight imbalance in the tone of the silk. They are contained in an annotated storage box which is dated either 1900 or 1960 on the cyclical Chinese lunar calendar. This is the time of their last re-mounting. I am leaning toward the earlier date though I can't say with certainty. Either way the mountings are also in very good condition.
Each image measures 34'' by 12'' (87 by 30 cm). Each scroll measures 71'' by 18'' (180 by 45 cm).
The signature reads Yusei Hogan. The top seal Yu, the bottom seal Sei. The paintings are the work of Yusei Kuninobu (1787-1840). Kuninobu originally used the name Tanshu though took on Yusei around the time he received the honorary title of 'Hogan'. He is the second son of Kano Morikuni. Yusei was adopted into the Nakabashi branch of the Kano school, eventually becoming the fourteenth generational head. He was employed by the shogunate as 'oku eshi'. His work is held in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. See Roberts p.96.
|
|
|
|
Edo era - Wood panel kachoe
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1900 item# 1122532
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$1400
|
A double sided architectural Edo period wooden panel. The front is a 'kachoe' or bird and flower scene featuring a bush warbler on an ancient pine. The back is decorated with a simpler ink plum. As is generally the case this piece has been darkened through age. It has also proven exceptionally difficult to photograph. The scene on the front is a very high quality work considering the medium. The painting itself is quite heavily textured with layers of gofun being built-up in the moriage style. Presently presented in a rough wooden frame likely dating to the early 20th century, the wooden painting was originally in a different format. Perhaps small, upright sliding doors which have now been joined in the center. Painted wooden doors made of 'sugi' wood or cryptomeria are known as 'sugito'.
The work (including the frame) stands 34'' high and measures 29.5'' across (86 by 75 cm).
Each side is signed and sealed. The signature on the front reads Kateikan Joei. The signature on the back reads Kateikan Keikyoku. We have been unable to trace the artist.
|
|
Yamamoto Sosen (1679-1760) - Kano school tiger
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1800 item# 1120299
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$4500
|
A fine Kano school tiger from the mid Edo period (1752) painted with ink and touches of color on silk.
The image measures 40'' by 17'' (102 by 43 cm). The scroll measures 68'' by 22.5'' (173 by 57 cm).
The painting is in good overall condition. There is one re-backed wormhole and a light stain at the top.
The tiger is by Yamamoto Sosen (1679-1760). Above his signature he has written 'painted at 73 years of age', so 1752. This is followed by 'Hogen Sosen'. Sosen is the adopted son of Yamamoto Soken. Sosen lived in Kyoto and is noted as having achieved the rank of Hogen. His father studied painting under Kano Tanyu and is one of Korin's early teachers. The inscription above the tiger is signed Tangai. We do not know this artist.
|
|
|
|
|
