Specialties
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1929 - Nihonga screen pair 'Omi Maiko'
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
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Pre 1930 item# 1026767
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click for details
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$4500
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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.
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1929 - Nihonga screen pair 'Omi Maiko'
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1930 item# 1026766
|
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.
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Kawaii Kenji (b.1908) - 'Mountain pond'
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Pre 1960 item# 1004219
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$1250
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Titled 'Yama no ike' or 'Mountain pond' this mid 20th century work by the nihonga artist Kawaii Kenji is complete with its original double kiri-wood storage box. It is a highly atmospheric painting that remains firmly anchored to the traditions of Nihonga whilst highlighting the individual style of the artist.
Painted with pigments on paper the work is in good, original condition. The silk mounting is finished with ivory rollers.
the image measures 15'' by 23'' (37.5 by 58.5 cm). The scroll measures 51.5'' by 31'' (131 by 78 cm).
Kawaii Kenji was born in 1908. He graduated from the Kyoto Kaiga Gakko (Kyoto Arts School) and studied under Kayo. He submitted paintings to the Nitten 23 times and received the top award on two occasions. He later went on to become a judge of the Nitten. His teacher Kayo was one of the managers of the Nitten and also a member of the Geijutsuin. Kayo (Yamaguchi Komejiro) was born in 1899 and was a student of Nishimura Goun.
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Suzuki Sekioshi (b.1904) - Nihonga landscape
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Pre 1960 item# 1004216
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$500
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A vast mountain painted in rich hues of cobalt tinged with purple is viewed through a veil of thin pines. Light strokes and washes of sumi ink lend the strand of pines an almost ephemeral nature against the permanence of the mountain.
Dating to the second half of the 20th century the work is in very good, original condition.
The image measures 16'' by 20'' (41.5 by 50 cm). The scroll measures 58'' by 26'' (148 by 65.5 cm).
The painting is signed and sealed Sekioshi, the art name of Suzuki Sekio who was born in Hakata in 1904. A student of Komuro Suiun and later Kodama Kibo and a member of the national Nitten organization. He exhibited works at the Nitten in 1943, 44, 46, 49, 52, 55, 56, 57 and 1958. He was also the owner and founder of the painting group named 'sumi no biin' or the 'ink painting group'.
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Nihonga - 'Green shadows'
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Pre 1940 item# 1004215
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$1250
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Titled 'Ryokuin' or 'Green shadows' this is an exceptionally pretty nihonga painting from the earlier Showa period, circa 1940. Vivid spring greens are dappled over rocks painted with something akin to the tarashikomi technique. The rocks are accented with shades of deep plum and mulberry. The little frog is obviously eager to enter the paradisiacal retreat.
Painted on silk with washes of ink and color the work is in very good, original condition.
The painting is complete with its original signed and sealed double wooden storage box. The brocade mounting is finished with ivory rollers.
The image measures 19'' by 20'' (48 by 50.5 cm). The scroll measures 56.5'' by 25.5'' (144 by 65 cm).
The signature reads Bunei although no further information has been unearthed.
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Abe Shunpo (1877-1956) - Nihonga kacho-e
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Pre 1940 item# 933954
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$650
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A early to mid 20th century nihonga painting of a butterfly and peony. Traditionally a highly detailed and realistic scene, here Shunpo has reduced the realism and concentrated upon more simplified and repetitive forms, allowing the brilliance of his coloring to provide the work with both weight and nuance.
Painted with ink and pigment on silk the work is in very good condition. The original brocade mounting is also in good condition and presents the work very well.
The scroll measures 80'' by 11.5'' (204 by 29.5 cm). The image measures 51'' by 8'' (129 by 20.5 cm).
Abe Shunpo (1877-1956) was born in Fukuoka. He moved to Osaka at the age of 16 to begin training under the tutelage of Fukada Chokujo. At 19 he moved to Kyoto to study under Kikuchi Hobun. He went on to exhibit with the Nitten/Teiten on countless occasions, eventually becoming a judge of the prestigious organization. His work is held in the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
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Yamada Mumon (1900-1988) - 'The lion roars'
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Pre 1980 item# 918026
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$2350
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A powerful zen message from Yamada Mumon: ''The lion roars!''. When Buddha proclaimed the Dharma, his voice was said to be like a ''lion's roar'', majestic and awe-inspriring. In zen calligraphy, the phrase means, ''Be bold and determined in your Buddhist practice like the king of the beasts!'' Also, ''Walk the talk'', that is, be up-front and direct in your Zen demeanor. In keeping with the force of the message Mumon has brushed this with exceptional vigor, literally damaging the paper in a number of areas on both the first and second characters with the forcefulness of his strokes.
Contained within its original signed and sealed storage box, the painting is in good condition. Light, sporadic foxing is present.
The scroll measures 76 by 18'' (194 by 46 cm). The image measures 51.5 by 13.5'' (131 by 34 cm).
Yamada Mumon (1900-1988) was one of the most well known of 20th century Zen masters. Mumon wrote a number of popular books on Zen, and he had many disciples, both Japanese and foreign.
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Miwa Chosei (1901-1983) - Daimonji Screen
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Pre 1940 item# 541652
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$2200
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This is a furosaki or tea ceremony screen by the noted artist Miwa Chosei, dating to the early Showa period - circa 1935.
Pictured in isolation Mount Daimonji sweeps across the lower portion of the screen.
An icon in Kyoto, ever present in the Eastern foothills, Daimonji is at the heart of the Obon festival that has been celebrated for over 500 years. The huge Chinese character, which can be seen clearly on the mountain reads `Dai` and it is set alight each year to guide the spirits of the deceased back to heaven. Ink has been puddled with water on the textured paper to create a heavily atmospheric scene showing smoke billowing from the fire and cloaking the mountain. The irregularly reflective silver surface of the washi paper further increases the drama of the scene.
The silver is a mica based compound, which has been applied evenly over the paper. The paper has then been crumpled by hand before being mounted on the screen`s frame.
The screen has recently been re-backed and the paper hinge has been replaced. The odd water mark is visible, as are scratch marks along the lower three inches – neither fact detracts from the screens beauty or purpose. It may even be that the scratches are original to the screen and implemented by the artist himself.
Miwa Chosei (1901-1983) was born in Niigata Prefecture, and went on to study and live in Kyoto. He graduated from the Kyoto City Specialist School of Painting where he studied with Domoto Insho. He exhibited regularly with the Teiten from 1927, and became a judge of the Nitten organization in 1951. He later went on to become an executive of the group. He was also a member of the Geijutsuin or Imperial Art Academy.
The screen measures 74 inches across and stands 29 inches high.
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Matsumoto Ichiyo (1893-1952) - ‘Wind crossing’
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Pre 1930 item# 465443
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$950
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A masterful use of the intimate fan format by Matsumoto Ichiyo. He has created a highly expressive composition. Titled ‘Futo’, or ‘Wind crossing’, the precariousness and vulnerability of the landscape is overwhelming. The spring scene shows the willow tree with lush, fresh foliage and the waning moon low in the evening sky. The stillness and romanticism of the moment is poignant.
Contained within its original sealed and titled storage box, the scroll is original in all respects. The delicate and complimentary brocade is finished with ivory rollers.
Painted on silk with rich pigments, the work is in near perfect condition. Contrary to the online images, the brocade mounting has no discoloration whatsoever, the piece displays superbly.
The scroll measures 45 by 22.5 inches. The fan itself measures 18.5 inches across.
Ichiyo was born in Kyoto in 1893 and passed away in 1952. He was the son of Matsumoto Yoshiki, studying under Yamamoto Shunkyo and Kawamura Manshu. He graduated from the Kyoto Kaiga Senmon Gakko and later went on to teach there. He was also a juror for the Nitten and Teiten. His works are held and regularly displayed at the Kyoto Municipal Museum and the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art.
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