A set of three hanging scroll paintings depicts Japanese old custom and figures. Painted on silk with ink and pigments. The piece is accompanied by an old paulownia wood store box with an inscription reads Kawanabe Kyosai Shinseki means authenticating the paintings. The paintings are vividly well depicted in brush works with full of life. Sealed.

Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) was a Japanese artist active during late Edo period – Meiji period in Japan. He born into a samurai family...

Hotei, or Budai in Chinese, very well depicted dozing off or perhaps contemplating on the linen bag, in which he carries precious things. Painted on silk with ink. Sealed. It comes in poulownia wood store box. There are some stains and tiny insect damages are present on the painting, otherwise it is in good condition. The mounting is very good condition with light creases...

The moon shrouded half in mist gently shines bloomed white plum Blossoms. Painted on silk with ink and pigments. Signed Kobi, the artist name of Yanagisawa Kien. Circa 18th Century. Yanagisawa Kien (1704-1758) was one of the foremost artists of Japanese literati painting (Nanga or Bunjinga) active during mid Edo period, 18th century. One of his masterpieces is collected at Tokyo National Museum.

The painting wears quality brocade, which made of real gold thread (hon-kinran)...

Sparrows in snow-covered blossoming ume flowers and camellias of winter. Painted on silk with ink and pigments. Circa 19th century. Kishi Ganryo (1798-1852) was born and resided in Kyoto. He was adapted to a prominent artist Kishi Ganku and studied painting under him. Ganryo became a retainer of prince Arisugawa and attached to the imperial court. He was well adept at paintings of figures and Bird-and-flower...

A heron quietly stands still in reeds. Depicted on silk with ink. Heron has been a favorite bird of Japanese artists since ancient times. The Chinese character used for the name of the bird represents a dewdrop that shimmers in the morning sun. This may have reminded as the glistening dewdrop of the snow white plumage of the bird. White heron has also another name “Sekkaku” meaning a visitor in the snow...

An ukiyo-e folding screen depicts a group of ladies preparing for Japanese Star festival called Tanabata festival, which takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year. Painted on silk with ink and pigments. On the right panel depicts a beautiful woman sitting at the coffee table preparing to write her wishes on the colorful piece of paper. As part of the custom, the wishes are to be hanged on a bamboo tree in the hope that they become true...

A group of samurai won a victory in a battle. Hanging scroll Circa Edo period, 17th century. Painted on paper with ink and pigments...

Oni (ogres) in a kimono dancing in front of the Yama, the ruler of Hell. Yama is the son of Hindu god Sun. He is the presiding deity and also known as Dharma. In Japan Yama is known as Enma. Later adopted in Buddhism, Yama was understood by Buddhists as a god of the dead, supervising the various Buddhist "hells". A line of souls leads to his office where he decides whether a soul goes to Heaven or Hell. Oni are considered as a servant under the Enma there. Here, the scene depicted comically the ...

Yanagisawa Kien (1704-1758) was active during mid Edo period, 18th century in Japan. He was one of the pioneers of the Japanese literati paintings and prominent at the richly coloured bird and flower paintings. Here, the severity and sharpness of the colorful flower is faithfully observed. Signed Kien and sealed. One of his masterpieces is collected at Tokyo National Museum.

The piece is in fine condition. It is accompanied by an paulownia wood storage box. The scroll wears ivory end. Please...

The painting features a courtesan mounted on a white elephant. She is an incarnation of Fugen Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The story of the subject comes from a Japanese Buddhist folklore: On the way to Tennoji temple, a Buddhist monk stopped a village called Eguchi, which was well known as one of the most flourished entertainment area. As he was caught by a sudden rain, he asked a courtesan for a night's lodging in the village. However she refused his request. He grumbled and intoned...

The painting depicted court musicians playing divine music called Bugaku. Bugaku is a Japanese court music accompanied by dancing. Here one of the players plays shen (a bamboo instrument first produced in China in 7th century) and the other one sounds a massive drum with mitsudomoe crest (three comma-shaped figures in a circle). Bugaku carries a ritualistic implication and is usually played at the start before dance performance begins. Bugaku purifies the stage. Painted with ink and pigments. Si...

After 6 years asceticism, Gautama Buddha decided to come out from the snowy mountains to seek after his own way to get enlightenment. He realized that a long practice of asceticism was not the way to satori (enlightenment). Sealed Sesshū. Sesshū Tōyō (1420-1506) was the most prominent Japanese master of ink wash painting during Muromachi – Sengoku period (the Warring States period) in Japan. He was influenced by Chinese Song Dynasty landscape paintings and traveled to Min...