Specialties
|
|
|
Furosaki tea ceremony screen - Ryoanji
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1960 item# 1078536
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$950
|
A tea ceremony screen from the mid 20th century depicting the famous rock garden of Ryoanji temple in Kyoto. Thought to have been designed in the late 15th century by the ink landscape painter Soami, the garden consists of raked gravel and fifteen stones, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden only fourteen of the stones are visible at one time.
This gorgeous little furosaki screen shows the raked gravel with textured silver paper, the rocks themselves appear to have been applied with lacquer (though it is likely a material emulating lacquer). The frame is of perfectly grained cedar with bamboo fronting the top of the garden.
The screen is in very good condition.
Opened the screen measures 73'' across and stands 21'' high (185 by 53 cm).
The screen is unsigned.
|
|
Kato Shinmei (1910-1988) - Modern beauty
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1950 item# 1063735
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$950
|
A small framed painting of a bijin by the well known Japanese artist Kato Shinmei. Dating to approximately the mid 20th century, perhaps as early as the 1930's. Silhouetted against a shimmering gold background, her unaffected and confident pose expresses a casual sensuality which is enhanced by the truncated composition. Her chalk white skin stands out against the overriding tonal harmony of the work and draws us in to the individual personality of the subject, her western hairstyle an indication of her modernity.
The work has been painted with ink, gofun and pigment over gold covered silk. It is in very good condition in all respects. It appears that the frame is original to the painting.
The image measures 7.5'' by 5.5'' (20 by 14 cm. The frame measures 13.5'' by 11'' (35 by 28 cm).
Kato Shinmei (1910-1988) was born in Nagoya and studied under Nakamura Gakuryo. He is first and foremost a painter of figures, in particular Maiko san. He was a regular exhibitor with the Nitten and won a prize there in 1948, later becoming a judge of the prestigious organization. He was also the recipient of numerous other prizes throughout his career.
|
|
Shodo Hirata (b.1882) - Fall leaves
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1940 item# 1059621
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
SOLD
|
An early Showa era, circa 1930, work by the Nihonga artist Shodo Hirata. A strong feeling of abstraction and an emphasis on negative space contrasts with the lushness of the crimson fall leaves and the ripened purple berries winding gently amongst them. The spider-like trunks of the saplings are almost overwhelmed by the fullness of their leaves. A sole sprig of flowering wild chrysanthemum reaches upward imparting a sense of that which isn't represented. Similarly the brocade mounting is embellished with the repeating pattern of a winding river and the ichimonji woven with butterflies.
Painted on silk with ink and color the work is in very good condition. The silk is very lightly foxed. The mounting is finished with ivory rollers.
The large scroll measures 90'' by 26'' (230 cm by 65 cm). The image measures 51'' by 20'' (129 cm by 50 cm).
Shodo Hirata (b.1882). A nihonga painter born in Tokyo and student of Kawai Gyokudo. He graduated in 1906 from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He was a constant exhibitor and frequent prize winner at government exhibitions. He was a member of several associations for the promotion of Japanese style painting. A pair of screens of his were exhibited at the 1915 San Francisco Panama Pacific International Exposition after being shown nationally in Japan with the 1914 Bunten. His work is held at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. See Roberts, pp. 44.
|
|
Tomioka Haruko (1847-1940) - Incense container
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Stoneware:
Pre 1920 item# 1051086
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$975
|
A hand potted 'kogo' or incense container by Tomioka Haruko (1847-1940). Haruko was the wife of Tomioka Tessai. Haruko was a talented artist and poet in her own right. She produced many pieces of art in various media during her long life of 93 years.
The box is signed by Tomioka Haruko herself, stating that she made the piece at age 81, and is dated December, Taisho 12 (1923). The poem reads; ''The fragrance of plum blossoms fills the air; The moon shines brightly, Casting a cold shadow everywhere''. The bottom of the kogo is also signed, ''Made by Tomioka Haruko, age 81''. Translations and commentary provided by John Stevens, Professor and Director, Zen Art Society.
The piece stands 3.5 cm high and measures 6 cm in diameter. It is in perfect condition.
|
|
Shinobu Keisui (b.1892) - Sea bream & crashing waves
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1940 item# 1037781
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$3000
|
A large painting of a Japanese sea bream swimming beneath crashing waves. The title reads 'Kouki', which translates to 'rough waves crashing over rocks'. Sea bream are generally associated with celebrations and in particular the New Year. The oversized painting is contained within a double wooden storage box signed, sealed and titled by the artist. The painting dates to the early Showa period, 1930's.
Painted on silk with ink, mineral color, gold and gofun the painting is in good to very good condition. Light foxing is present though non-distracting. The original mounting displays the painting very well and is finished with ivory capped bone rollers.
The scroll measures 85'' by 28'' (217 cm by 72 cm). The image measures 57'' by 22.5'' (144 cm by 57 cm).
The signature reads Keisui. The seal reads Shinobu Kenzo in. Shinobu Keisui was born in Osaka in 1892. He studied under his father Shinobu Keibi.
|
|
Yano Kyoson (1890-1965) - Nihonga screen pair
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1940 item# 1026780
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$12,000
|
Almost certainly painted for exhibition this monumental pair of two fold screens is a true tour de force by the highly talented and eclectic artist Yano Kyoson. On a glowing gold ground suggesting intense sunlight a field of lush lotus plants is interspersed with their orange tinged flowers dancing in endlessly rhythmical patterns. Kannon, the goddess of mercy, appears as an apparition floating translucently in the pond. Her compassion and empathy radiate across the surface enchanting the excitable group of wagtails which have been rendered with remarkable realism.
The scene has been painted on silk with thick mineral pigments, gofun, ink and color. The silk base has been laid over a gold foil squares in a technique known as 'uruhaku'.
The work dates to the early Showa period, 1930's.
The screens are in good, original condition. The screens themselves are almost perfect and the paintings are still mounted very tightly. Foxing is apparent, largely through the white gofun which has been used to render the flowers and kannon's robe.
Each screen measures 73'' across and stands 68'' high (185 by 173 cm).
Yano Kyoson (1890-1965) was a regular exhibitor with the Bunten and Teiten becoming a judge in 1930. He was a founding member of the Nihon Nangain and also founded the Osaka Art School in 1924. Although primarily a literati painter he explored many styles and genres.
|
|
Yano Kyoson (1890-1965) - Nihonga screen pair
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1940 item# 1026779
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$12,000
|
Almost certainly painted for exhibition this monumental pair of two fold screens is a true tour de force by the highly talented and eclectic artist Yano Kyoson. On a glowing gold ground suggesting intense sunlight a field of lush lotus plants is interspersed with their orange tinged flowers dancing in endlessly rhythmical patterns. Kannon, the goddess of mercy, appears as an apparition floating translucently in the pond. Her compassion and empathy radiate across the surface enchanting the excitable group of wagtails which have been rendered with remarkable realism.
The scene has been painted on silk with thick mineral pigments, gofun, ink and color. The silk base has been laid over a gold foil squares in a technique known as 'uruhaku'.
The work dates to the early Showa period, 1930's.
The screens are in good, original condition. The screens themselves are almost perfect and the paintings are still mounted very tightly. Foxing is apparent, largely through the white gofun which has been used to render the flowers and kannon's robe.
Each screen measures 73'' across and stands 68'' high (185 by 173 cm).
Yano Kyoson (1890-1965) was a regular exhibitor with the Bunten and Teiten becoming a judge in 1930. He was a founding member of the Nihon Nangain and also founded the Osaka Art School in 1924. Although primarily a literati painter he explored many styles and genres.
|
|
Domoto Insho (1891-1975) - Nihonga screen
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1930 item# 1026776
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$9,500
|
The Chinese theme of immortality, a divinity adorned with Indian jewelry and set in an exotic garden likely inspired by the flowers of India. Originally painted as part of a larger set of 'fusuma' or sliding doors from the interior of a Buddhist temple, the two panels here were mounted as a two-fold screen some years ago. They are a wonderful early example of Domoto Insho's commissioned work on behalf of Buddhist temples in the Kansai region. The beautiful young lady presenting the tray of peaches may be the junior goddess Magu, kneeling under the protectively spread wings of the Manchurian crane. These are the famed peaches of immortality grown in the garden of the Daoist goddess Xi Wangmu (the Queen Mother of the West).
This important work dates to the mid 1920's, when according to many critics Insho was at the height of his powers.
Painted on silk with ink, gofun and pigments the condition of the painting is no more than reasonable. Foxing is present throughout and ink stains are noticeable in the lower right field. The substance used to anchor the green tinted pigments of the florals has also darkened. The screen itself dates to the second half of the 20th century and is in fine condition.
The screen measures 88'' across and stands 68.5'' high (224 by 174 cm).
Domoto Insho (1891-1975) began his painting career studying Nihonga at the Kyoto Municipal Special School of Painting, also taking private lessons from Nishiyama Suisho and Takeuchi Seiho. His early Teiten exhibition pieces won him high accolades, and his 1925 Buddhist themed submission brought him great success. From this flowed commissions to paint the ceilings and fusuma doors of distinguished Buddhist temples in the Kansai region. Over 600 such commissions were completed in his lifetime. His painting style underwent many transformations over the course of his lifetime, culminating in abstract expressionism.
|
|
1929 - Nihonga screen pair 'Omi Maiko'
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1930 item# 1026767
|
click for details
|
zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$4500
|
Themes from literature were common in nihonga and that is undoubtably where this scene originated. The setting for the picnic of nobles and courtesans is the beautiful Omi Maiko beach on the shores of Lake Biwa near Kyoto. The artist likely visited the beach personally given the topographical accuracy of the scene thereby fusing a romanticized past with the present. As the Princes compose poetry and the servants prepare the feast it is the non verbal communication between the young female courtier and the servant girl which captures and inspires the imagination.
The screens are dated the third year of the Showa period, 1929.
They have been painted with ink, gofun and mineral colors on silk.
The paintings are essentially in good to very good condition although there are small areas of foxing present. In particular there is an area of staining around the signature on the lower left of the left screen.
The screens are in need of re-backing and re-hinging, work which can be completed here in Kyoto.
Each screen measures 75'' across and stands 68'' high (190 by 172.5 cm).
The artist Taigyo remains unidentified.
|
|
|
|
|
