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Kawamura Manshu (1880-1942) - Pines on sliding doors
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Pre 1920 item# 1001402
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$4000
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A set of four sliding fusuma doors by the artist Manshu dating to the earlier part of the 20th century, circa 1920.
The lower fields of the doors are filled with pines and their gentle movement. The trunks are softly delineated whilst the thickly applied pigments of the foliage provide an abundance of texture against the lightly reflective ground.
Painted for a grand residence, high quality materials have been used throughout. Rich pigments and color have been painted on silk which has been laid over hand beaten gold leaf; a technique known as uruhaku. The deep brown lacquered frames are of a similarly high level as is the paper on the reverse side which is patterned with images of young pines.
The doors are in good, original condition. There is very light foxing present and some typical handling marks around the door pulls.
Each door measures approximately 68.5'' by 29'' (174 by 73 cm).
Kawamura Manshu (1880-1942) was a Kyoto Nihonga painter who studied under Yamamoto Shunkyo. He was an almost constant exhibitor with the national Bunten, Teiten and Shinbunten exhibitions. His works were accepted for exhibition on a total of 26 occasions between 1908 and 1940. He went on to become a juror for the same organizations and also became a member of the Art Committee of the Imperial Household. See Roberts p.73.
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Nihonga - Showa girls
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Pre 1920 item# 1000394
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$4200
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Continuing the themes of escapism and innocence that were popularized in the Taisho period this visually exquisite scroll was painted in the fall of 1939. The escapist realm of childhood is represented here as a time of discovery and blissful abandon with the two sisters collecting falling maple leaves.
Very high quality materials have been used in every aspect of the painting and its mounting. The inks and pigments of the painting itself are rich and vivid and the patterned brocade mounting is highly complimentary and finished with red lacquered rollers. The work is complete with its original signed and dated storage box although the artist (female) remains anonymous.
The large image measures 53'' by 20'' (133 by 51 cm). The scroll measures 80'' by 65'' (202 by 65 cm).
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18c. Tartar hunting screen pair
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Pre 1800 item# 975213
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
under consideration
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A pair of six-fold Japanese screens depicting tartars on a central asian plane. The scene originated in the later 16th century amongst Kano school artists and remained popular through the early Edo period. This 18th century example follows a similar thematic and compositional framework. Mounted horsemen wearing exotic asian costumes hunt boars, tigers, deer, ducks and even cranes with spears, bows and falcons. Others, including female riders engage in a spirited game of polo. Offsetting the movement and rythym of the mounted horsemen is the high official and his retinue sheltering under the large tent at the far left. Similarly at the upper right a group of horsemen surround an official as they watch the hunt evolve.
The scenes have been painted on paper with ink and color. The background is filled with liberally applied gold flecks which are highly reflective and allow for subtle mood changes throughout the course of the day.
The condition of the screens is reasonable and they are certainly ready to be enjoyed as they are. In a number of areas insects have eaten away at the surface paper adjoining the hinges and the silk brocade frame.
Each screen measures 69'' by 145'' (176 by 370 cm).
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18c. Tartar hunting screen pair
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Japanese:
Paintings:
Pre 1800 item# 975210
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click for details
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
under consideration
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A pair of six-fold Japanese screens depicting tartars on a central asian plane. The scene originated in the later 16th century amongst Kano school artists and remained popular through the early Edo period. This 18th century example follows a similar thematic and compositional framework. Mounted horsemen wearing exotic asian costumes hunt boars, tigers, deer, ducks and even cranes with spears, bows and falcons. Others, including female riders engage in a spirited game of polo. Offsetting the movement and rythym of the mounted horsemen is the high official and his retinue sheltering under the large tent at the far left. Similarly at the upper right a group of horsemen surround an official as they watch the hunt evolve.
The scenes have been painted on paper with ink and color. The background is filled with liberally applied gold flecks which are highly reflective and allow for subtle mood changes throughout the course of the day.
The condition of the screens is reasonable and they are certainly ready to be enjoyed as they are. In a number of areas insects have eaten away at the surface paper adjoining the hinges and the silk brocade frame.
Each screen measures 69'' by 145'' (176 by 370 cm).
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Kano Eiryo (1741-1771) - Plum & cuckoo
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Pre 1800 item# 954818
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$4200
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A set of four 'fusuma' or sliding paper doors which have been converted into a four panel folding screen. Two plum trees in bloom arc through the composition as bands of gentle mist obscure the background. In the foreground a Japanese cuckoo or 'hototogisu' calls out; its cry traditionally signaling the arrival of summer. The style of artwork decorating sliding doors was intimately connected with both the character and function of the room and to the owner's personal requirements. The meditative mood inspired by lyrical depictions of birds and flowers and harmonious landscapes helped create the tranquil atmosphere appropriate for living quarters, in particular the private chambers of the Zen clergy.
Painted on paper with ink the work is in good condition. It likely underwent its transformation from doors to a folding screen at its most recent restoration - mid to early 20th century. It was a quality job throughout and its condition remains essentially as it was at that time.
Unfolded the screen measures 68.5'' by 137'' (174 by 348 cm).
It the work of Kano Eiryo (1741-1771). Surviving works by the artist are rare, certainly partially attributable to his early death at the age of 31. Kano Eiryo was the sixth generation head of the Kyo Kano School and the adopted son of Kano Eihaku (1687-1764).
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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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Edo - Hawk screen
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Pre 1900 item# 933313
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$3800
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A rare Edo period screen painting of a pair of dramatically stylized hawks dating to the first half of the 19th century.
The signature reads Soshu and there are a number of painters of the time who used this name, the most likely of which is Yamamoto Soshu from the Nagano area who was most active during the Kaei era (1848-1854).
The screen was restored and re-mounted during the earlier 20th century and framed with a fine smoke blue brocade. The image is showing handling marks around the hinges and earlier paper losses have been replaced, particularly in the lower third of the screen. The screen is structurally sound and presents very nicely.
It stands 63.5 inches high and measures 137 inches across.
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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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Kajiwara Hisako (1896-1988) - 'The sounds of nature'
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Pre 1920 item# 915530
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$850
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The work is titled 'Mushi junon', or 'The sounds of nature'. A painting of a young geisha removed from her typical surroundings and enjoying the pure sounds of insects signing. The artist is showing the true emotion and feelings of the girl as opposed to using her simply as a symbol of beauty and allurement as was typical in the past.
This painting dates to the late (greater) Taisho period, circa 1925/30.
Painted on silk with ink, pigment and gofun the work is in reasonably good, original condition. It is complete with its original signed, sealed and titled wooden storage box. There are some marks in the open upper field and very soft water marks in the open lower field. Losses of gofun to her kimono and also some losses of pigment, particularly where it has been most thickly applied. The silk brocade mounting is original to the painting and is of very high quality. It is finished with ivory rollers.
The scroll measures 84 by 15.5'' (213 by 39.5 cm). The image measures 51.5 by 11'' (131 by 27.5 cm).
Kajiwara Hisako (1896-1988) studied under Keigetsu and Chigusa Soun (1873-1942) and Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955). Along with a number of other artists of the era Hisako sought inspiration in life around her not in idealistic portrayals of traditional subject matter. She was interested in showing real women and their true emotions. She went as far as to shun marriage rather than hinder her career as a painter. She emerged during the Taisho era with paintings of woman that portrayed their individual characters and at times also made controversial social statements with her works. See Morioka and Berry, Modern masters of Kyoto, p.292.
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Nagaii Ikka (b.1870) - Zen skull & crow
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Pre 1920 item# 907996
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zen-zen0
075-771-9190
$850
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A zen influenced painting of a crow on top of a skull by the nihonga artist Nagaii Ikka. Rather than being empty sockets the skull's eyes are ablaze with life and a fierce determination to cling to it. The crow appears equally determined to extinguish that life and leaves little doubt of success. The message is that death is ultimately an integral part of life and should be embraced as such rather than being something to struggle against.
Dating to the earlier part of the 20th century the work has been painted with ink and a touch of color on paper. Creases have developed through the painting and a re-backing is recommended. Please inquire for further details. Apart from these creases the painting is in very good condition.
The scroll measures 79 by 14.5 inches (200 by 37 cm). The image measures 52 by 9 inches (131.5 by 23.5 cm).
Ikka was born in 1870 in Niigata prefecture. He studied under Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) and Suzuki Shonen (1849-1918). From 1905 Ikka spent five years in the United States. During that time he received a silver medal for a crow painting which he submitted to an art exhibition in Portland.
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