Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Paintings (65)

Japanese hand scroll painting, late Edo – Meiji period, 19th - early 20th century. This 11 meter long fantastic painting comically depicts a group of well-endowed men measuring the strength each other and humorously showing off their thingies. This painting is called "toba-e", which is comical scroll pictures considered as the oldest form of manga (cartoon) in Japanese history...

This scene may have been depicted from a national treasure “Hikone Byobu six panel folding screen”. The screen has been collected by the Hikone castle museum located in Shiga prefecture in Japan. The screen has been very well known for not only the quality but also as a representative masterpiece depicting the custom of the early Edo period showing early-modern Japanese history. In this painting depicts a young robust courtesan with her western puppy...

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. 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...

Unique Zen ink wash painting depicts scroll and bamboo broom representing Kanzan and Jittoku. Kanzan and Jittoku were Zen eccentric monks thought to have lived at a monastery on Mt. Tendai in China during the Tang period (618-907). They had a thorough knowledge of Buddhist philosophy. Kanzan often depicted holding a scroll, presumably of his poetry, while Jittoku holding a broom, indicating his position as a scullion at a monastery...

The painting depicted a samurai met an old man at night. In Japan there are many legendary tales of ogre extermination where samurai fights with ogre to protect people and their town. Some folklore says that the ogre turns into human and attacks people go around. Here, the samurai was prepared for the fight by the torii, which is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred...

A samurai and his retainer helping his load to dress in armor. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. During Warring States period (sengoku period), samurai had a specialist retainer who can put armors on them before going to a war. The specialist stylists were familiar with armor and well aware of the order of dressing up so that samurai did not waste their time to join the war. Signed Hogan Eishin and sealed...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting...

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting...

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...

An album of twelve erotic pictures, Edo period, 18thcentury. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. The each image is exquisitely depicted throughout the year with some seasonal changes in the scene. The paintings bear a seal, which is quite rare as artists usually remained anonymous when they executed Shunga pictures during Edo period. The seal is recognized as Shunsho school. The inscription on the cover reads “jyunikagetsu emaki ikkan” meaning twelve months painting album - first volume. ...

Antique Japanese hand painted illustrates Nara-ehon style book. Circa 17th Century or older. Painted with ink and pigments on paper. Nara-ehon was produced from the Muromachi period through to Edo period. They are usually featured Japanese old tales and Noh songs. Here in this album include eight different scenes of rustic farmers engaged in agriculture in Muromachi period, ceremonial customs of samurai couple and landscape. It could have been a personal painting collection in ancient times. The...

Antique Japanese Bijin-ga depicting young woman in light summer kimono comforting herself with a uchiwa fan, resting in a decorated armrest. Her elegant form is expressed by the combination of detailed painting skill of the artist and beautiful colourful pigments. Circa mid Edo period, 18th -19th Century. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signature and seal reads Kagen, yet the artist remains unidentified.

There are some light marks present due to its great age, otherwise the piece ...

A tiger sits tensed on a pine tree. The fearsome advance of the beast is suggested by the powerfully hunched shoulders, the placing of its feet, which all emphasize the animal's size and strength. Painted with ink on silk. The signature reads Ganryo and sealed. Kishi Ganryo (1798-1852) was a Kyoto based painter active during late Edo period, 19th century. He was trained under Kishi Ganku, who was a noted Japanese painter of the late Edo period and founder of the Kishi school of painting. Kishi...

Kano school painitng of wild horses resting by water enjoying the spring scene. Painted with ink and light pigments on paper. Decorated with gold speckles. The painting is in reasonable condition with some marks, foxes and creases present due to its great age. There are some marks on the mounting. This painting is specially priced for celebrating Chinese new year (year of horse).

Painting: 22 1/4” x 57 1/8” (56.5cm x 145.0cm)
Scroll: 28” x 77 1/4” (71.0cm x 196.0cm)

Samurai Helmet depicted respectfully displayed on the stand. Painted on silk with ink and kindei, which is gold pigments. The kabuto was an important part of the equipment of the samurai, and played a symbolic role as well, which may explain the Japanese expressions, sayings and codes related to them. The Signature reads Tosanomori Mitsuzane (The load of Tosa) and sealed. This scroll has unique mounting such as the fabric “black takeyamachi” has been positioned on top of the scroll with do...

A beautiful image of a massive swimming carp - a noble fish. Finely painted on silk with ink. The signature reads shikibuno sato yusen hironobu. Kano Hironobu(1778-1814) was active in the late Edo period. He inherited the hamacho kano family and became a court painter. In 1808, he granted an important title Hogen, which was given to extraordinary artist.

There are some light marks and crease present, otherwise the piece is in good condition. It is accompanied by a paulownia wood storage...

An exquisite bird and flower painting features a Java sparrow rests on a branch in resurrection lily. Circa early Edo period, early 17th Century. This delicate painting is executed on paper with ink and pigments. The both Java sparrow and the flower are not native to Japan, but they were imported as early as 17th century from China, when the artist was a official painter to the Tokugawa shogunate. Little is known about the artist: Kano Koi (-1636), identified as such by a seal at lower left, he ...

A fine 18th Century Kano school painting depicted peony flowers. Behind the scene is a stream. It is painted with pigments of green (rokusho), which has been richly used. The combination of red and white flower symbolizes good fortune. This subject was painted in life size and a very good example of Kano school peony painting.

It is in good condition with patina. A highly decorative piece.

Painting: 20 7/8” x 43” (53.0cm x 109.0cm)
Scroll: 26” x 76 1/2” (66.0cm x 194.0cm)...

Iron metal rod. Painted with ink on paper. Signed Seiki and sealed. It is a type of weapon, a thick iron rod with warts on it. In pictures of demons, it refers to the stick that demons are holding in their hands. In Japan, there is a saying, "Kanabo for demons". If you equip a strong demon with a powerful weapon, a metal rod, it will become even stronger. This is a parable about someone who is already strong and becomes even more powerful by having something added to them. It is also a parable ...

Sekkei Sansui-zu (landscape with snow). Painted with ink on paper. Signed and Sealed. It is framed without glass.It is dated on 1875 on the painting.

Some insignificant light marks, traces of damage that has been restored before, are present on the painting itself, otherwise the piece is in very good condition. Some tiny damage is present on the frame, otherwise it is in very good condition with the age. Some marks and light damages are present on the back of the frame, which is not distu...

A SET of three hanging scroll painting depicted beautiful cherry blossoms in the mountain waterfall and crane in the cloud. Painted with ink and thick pigments on paper. Signed Kano Tan'en and sealed. It is attributed to Kano Tan'en.

Kano Tan'en(18th C.) was born as the second son of Kano Tanjo(1696-1756). he was adopted by atagoshita Kano family and became the fifth head of the Shiba Atago Shita Kano family. In 1842, he served as official purveyor of the tokugawa shogunate bakufu, but hi...

Snow covered bamboo. Painted with ink on silk. Signed and sealed.

Suzuki Shonen (1848-1918) was a Japanese painter from the Meiji(1868-1912) to Taisho periods(1912-1926). Born as Suzuki Hyakunen's eldest son, he learned painting from his father from an early age. Shonen became a teacher at the Kyoto Prefectural Painting School in 1898. He was good at portrait painting and received awards at national industrial exhibitions, etc.

Some light marks and foxing are present on the paint...

Large rinpa school painting depicted Deer. Painted with ink and pigments on a fan. Sealed. Circa late Edo period, 19th C.

Rinpa was born as a merchant culture in Kyoto, the capital of Japan, by Tawaraya Sotatsu(1570-1643) the early 17th century and Ogata Korin(1658-1716) in the early 18th century.In the early 19th century, Rinpa was developed by Sakai Hoitsu(1761-1829) and Suzuki Kiitsu(1796-1858) as a culture in Edo (present-day Tokyo) and was welcomed by court nobles and upper-class town...

A beautiful set of three hanging scroll painting depicted bird and flower in Autumn and Spring, and one of the seven lucky gods "Fukurokujyu", who bestows good fortune, wealth, and longevity. Signed and sealed. The signature reads tosa no kami(official court rank) Tosa no kami (a governor of Tosa Province)) fujiwara mitsusada.

Fujiwara Mitsusada (1738-1806) also known as Tosa Mitsusada was born as the second son of Tosa Mitsuyoshi. In 1754 he was retained as a court painter. In the 1760 h...

Plum Tree. Painted with ink on paper. Signed and sealed.

The piece has been restored and remounted, so some traces of restoration are present, otherwise it is in excellent condition. It is accompanied by a paulownia wood storage box, which is slightly damaged.

Painting: W8 5/8” x H37 3/8” (W22cm x H95cm)
Scroll: W13 5/8”x H67 3/4” (W34.5cm x H172cm)

Bird and Flower. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed Ohshin and sealed. It is attributed to Maruyama Oshin (1790-1838).

Maruyama Oshin (1790-1838) was a son of Oju, the grand son of Okyo, who was adopted into the main branch of the family in order to devote himself to painting and eventually become the family's next head. He was excelled at various subject of paintings such as bird and flower, figure and landscape.

Maruyama-ha is a school of painting founded in Kyoto duri...

Tosa school painting depicted a pair of crane with turtle. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed and sealed.

Tosa Mitsuzane was a Japanese artist active during late Edo period(1603-1868) in Japan. He was the eldest son of Tosa Mitsusada (1738-1806). After his father’s death, Mitsuzane succeeded his father’s position retained artist by the Tokugawa shogunate. He worked on wall paintings at Edo castle.

The Tosa school is one of the schools of Japanese painting along with t...

Kishi school neko tora tiger in the bamboo. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed and sealed. Circa 19th C. Edo era.

In the 18th century, the activities of Maruyama Okyo (1733-95): Maruyama School painting and Matsumura Goshun (1752-1811) are well known. The Maruyama school had an easy-to-understand and decorative painting style based on sketching, and had a great influence. On the other hand, Ganku (1746 or 1856-1838), who is said to have been born in Iwasehama (Toyama City in Ja...

Sparrows in the wisteria trellis. Beautiful old calligraphy are also depicted. Painted with ink and pigments on paper. The artist is unknown. Circa 19th C.

Some insignificant light marks, traces of crease that has been restored on the back, and foxing are present on the painting, otherwise the painting is in very good condition for the age. Some light marks, traces of damage that have been restored, light crease are present on the mounting, otherwise the piece has been simply restored and ...

Jumping Koi/Carp. Paited with ink on silk. Signed Eishuku Ujinobu and sealed. It is attributed to Kano Eishuku(Ujinobu).

There is a waterfall legend about “The Dragon Gate": thousands of koi fishes tried to jump to the waterfall for hundreds of years but failed, and after sometime passed one koi determined to reach the top of the waterfall and finally made it to the top. The Gods rewarded the koi by turning him into a beautiful, shiny, Golden Dragon. He now spends his time chasing among ...

Samurai Armor. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed and sealed. It is dated as painted in Taisho 4, 1915.

Inoue Rosen was a Okayama born Japanese painter active during Taisho(1912-1926) and Showa era (1926-1989) in Japan. He first studied Japanese painting under Ono Seiun in Osaka. Afterwards, he entered Kikuchi Hobun(1862-1918)'s art school in Kyoto, where -he learned the Shijo school of painting, which is a descendant of the Maruyama school, and served as the school's head. ...

Sansui Landscape. Painted with ink on silk. Signed Tsunenobu and sealed. It is attributed to Kano Tsunenobu.

Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713) was the eldest son of Kanō Naonobu (1607-50), younger brother of the renowned artist Kanō Tan'yū (1602-74). When his father died, Tsunenobu became a pupil of his uncle, and derived elements from the style of both men. In Hoei era (1704 - 1711) in the Edo period (1603-1868), he worked on a Kenjo no shoji (sliding screens of the 32 Chinese sages), which a...

Spring Landscape. Painted with ink on silk. Signed Chokugai and sealed. It is dated as painted in 1924 on the painting.

Tanomura Chokugai(1905-1997) was a Japanese painter born in Kyoto. Great-grandson of Tanomura Chokunyu(1814-1907). He studied under Tanaka Hakuin(1866-1934). He was a member of the Kyoto Japanese Painters Association and chairman of the Kyoto Shogain.

Some insignificant marks and foxing are present on the painting itself, and some marks, very light. crease, insect...

A charming, characteristic neko tora tiger in the moon night. Painted with ink and light pigments on paper. Signed Ganku and sealed. It is attributed to Gan ku.

Ganku (1749–1839), was a leading Japanese painter of Kyoto and founder of the Kishi school of painting. He is famous for his paintings of tigers. Ganku was born in Kanazawa as Kishi Saeki, studied painting styles including those of Chinese painter Shen Nanpin (沈南蘋) and the Maruyama-Shijō school, and arrived in Kyoto aroun...

Landscape with Mt. Fuji. Painted with ink and light pigments on silk. Signed and sealed.

Kano Isen（1775-1828）was a painter of the late Edo period and the master of the early modern Kano school. He was a son and pupil of Kano Yosen'in Korenobu, whom he succeeded as seventh-generation head of the Kobikicho branch of the Edo Kano school that had been founded by Kano Naonobu (1607-50) His name was Eishin and his artist name was Genshosai. Isen mastered Yamato-e (Traditional Japanese pai...