In the moonlit beach three boats are simply just left. With the increasing dark after the sunset the colors of an exotic oriental night grew more vivid in the light of the moon. The painting is titled “moonlight” which is inscribed on the paulownia wood storage box. The painting is executed with different textured brush strokes on silk. Signed Ryushi and sealed. Kawabata Ryushi (1885-1966) was one of the prominent Japanese painters...

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...

A ink wash windmill palm powerfully depicted in a variety of textured strokes featuring bold, sharp brushwork on the leaves of palm, with softer ink washes for the body and a delicate use of colour on the flowers and fruits. Signed Ryushi and sealed. Kawabata Ryushi (1885-1966) was one of the prominent Japanese painters. Together with Yokoyama Taikan and Kawai Gyokudō, he was regarded as one the "Three Big Figures" in the "nihonga" paintings...

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...

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...

A group of samurai won a victory in a battle. Hanging scroll Circa Edo period, 17th century. Painted on paper with ink and pigments. The samurai on the far right is holding a stand with the head of their enemy’s general. In Japanese history the enemy's head was to prove the samurai's feat in a war. If the opponent defeated was in a higher position, the better rewarded. There is an inscription on the scroll reads Tosa Mitsuoki hitsu, means painted by Tosa Mitsuoki. Tosa Mitsuoki (1617-1691) was...

A winter scene featuring a bush warbler in a snow covered heavenly bamboo. Showa period, mid 20th century. Nandina or heavenly bamboo is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant. They continually changes color throughout the year. Although the common name heavenly bamboo, it is actually not a bamboo at all. All parts of the plant are poisonous and could potentially be fatal if ingested. Birds are not affected by these toxins and will disperse the seeds through their droppings. The berries ...

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...

A solitary crow perches on a pine tree. Painted with ink on paper. Signed Ikkyu and sealed. The painting is attributed to Ikkyu Sojun. Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481) was one of the most significant and eccentric, iconoclastic Japanese Zen Buddhist monks and poet. One night in 1420, Ikkyu heard the sound of a crow, which sparked a great satori (enlightenment) in Zen Buddhism. His master Kasou confirmed Ikkyu’s enlightenment and tried to give him a certificate of dharma transmission, but Ikkyu refuse...