93. [EHON MANUSCRIPT] SHIJÔ SCHOOL ALBUM. Fukuro-toji style string-bound album, 26.5 x 19.3 cm, consisting of 14 double page and 12 single page color images painted in a skillful Shijô manner, apparently a product of the mid-19th century. The majority of the images are of figures, with a significant minority of bird and flower studies. This work is very problematical: the cover once had a paper label, it is gone, but in its place, someone has brushed in faintly "Kakinuma Kohei Kaichô" [The Pictorial Notebook of Kakinuma Kohei]. We have been unable to unearth any reference to a Kakinuma Kohei. In addition there are various kanbun-style poetical utterances on the back cover. However, it would seem that the covers have been added later, as the first and last paintings are both worn and soiled, as if they had been the outside covers themselves for a long time. Thus the inscriptions and the cover title are probably not contemporary with the work itself and may be of doubtful accuracy.
In any case, the work is obviously done in the style of a printed "gafu", right down to the square-ruled sumi borders. Whether it was meant to be a "gakô" or painted preliminary from which an actual book was to be designed or whether it was a sketchbook done in the spirit of a printed work, the images are well designed and executed: the composition and brushwork are quite competent. More importantly, there is resident in almost every painting all the high energy and high spirits of mid-19th century Shijô at its best.
As regards the temptation to call this work a skillful copy from an existent published gafu, none of the images seem to have appeared elsewhere. We cannot point to any work from which they could have been copied and neither can any other expert we have consulted. As for the question of "Kakinuma Kohei"'s identity or whether he was even the painter, there may never be a satisfactory answer. The album is lovely and, ultimately, may well prove enigmatic. $2,250.00
94. [EHON MANUSCRIPT] Takeuchi SEIHÔ, artist. SEIHÔ SHÛGA‑JÔ.
n.p., n.d. An interesting album or original watercolor paintings, both monochrome and b+w. Those familiar with Seihô's important printed SHÛGA-JÔ will certainly recognize the paintings and the calligraphy. It would appear to be Seihô, himself. What purpose this little oblong album [14.2 x 22.7 cm] served is more problematical. One could argue that a gifted disciple had copied from the master's printed work, but they would have had to be gifted indeed. 40 of the 48 images from the printed work are included, though not in the original order. The 4 calligraphed tables of contents are also included - their internal order is the same as the printed work. In any case a pretty work, with all the charm of the printed version and more. $675.00
95. [EMAKI ‑ COLLABORATIVE]. EARLY 19TH CENTURY MARUYAMA‑SHIJO SCHOOL HANDSCROLL. A lovely Shijô-style scroll, in brocade cover with wooden roller ends (jiku), consisting of 19 images by 8 different artists, probably created as a painting epitome for a student or young acquaintance. Approximately 29 X 645 cm. The images are, as follows:
1. Yano Yachô (1782-1825) [Roberts p.194 Student of Goshun] Ray
2. Kinoshita Ôju (1777-1815) [Roberts p.124 Father of Ôshin] Carp
3. Okamoto Toyohiko (1773-1845) [Roberts p.186 Goshun's student] Daffodils
4. Toyohiko Chinese figure admiring a rock
5. Yoshimura Kôkei (1769-1836) [Roberts p.88 Okyô's student] 2 crows
6. Kôkei 2 White Herons
7. Kôkei Diving Duck
8. Shibata Gitô (1780-1819) [Roberts p.32 Goshun's student] Ayu
9. Kôkei Flowering Water Plant
10. Gitô Ripening Biwa Fruit
11. " Squirrel & Grapes
12. Hatta Koshû (1760-1822) [Roberts p.92 Ôkyo's student] Bird on Branch
13. Toyohiko Helmet & Shôbu (associated with Boy's Day)
14. Matsumura Keibun (1779-1843) [Roberts p.74 Goshun's brother] Kingfisher on Iris Stalk
15. Keibun, Warabi (edible ferns).
16. Keibun, Adonis Flower
17. Toyohiko, Cargo Boat
18. Keibun, Morning Glories
19. Maruyama Ôshin (1790-1838) [Roberts p.126] Persimmon Bough
The scroll begins and ends abruptly, without preliminary or final remarks. Probably created as a "te-hon" complete with colors to serve as an exemplar for a young student. All the artists were prominent in the 2nd and 3rd generation of Maruyama/Shijô artists, The scroll was probably created about 1810 for the son of a patron (see the Boy's Day symbology, above). In very nice condition - excellent example. $1,850.00 click image for more pictures
96. [EMAKI ‑ HANDSCROLL] Cho GESSHÔ, artist. GESSHÔ-GA ÔYEYAMA-ZU PAINTED HANDSCROLL This scroll, which takes the story of the search for the monstrous demon Ôyeyama to his lair in the mountains and the demon's banquet there. The old scroll box attributes this work to Cho Gesshô (1772-1832), perhaps most famous in the West for his design of the ehon, FUGYÔ GASÔ.
A dense and lively piece of work which captures the wild dynamic of the story. SOLD
97. [EMAKI ‑ HANDSCROLL] Takeuchi SEIHÔ, copyist. CHÔJÛ JIMBUTSU GIGA PAINTED HANDSCROLL Kôzanji, an important temple outside of Kyoto houses several cultural treasures, the most important probably being the set of 4 scrolls attributed to Toba Sojo, done in the 12th century. The first scroll, of anthropomorphic frogs, monkeys and rabbits, is probably the most famous of them all.
Here, this famous scroll has been copied freehand by the important Kyoto artist, Takeuchi Seihô (1864-1942) - one of the most eminent traditional painters of the 20th century in Japan. The scroll is 13 1/2" high (a bit more than the original) and over 34 ft long - sealed with the "Hô" seal. In very nice shape, all in a handsome scroll box. A remarkably fluid and lively piece of work which captures much of the original's life and line. Interesting to compare it to the original. To that end, we are including a lovely little 2 scroll collotype reproduction of the original work - n.d., done by Ôtsuka Kogeisha in the 1950's? - (including the original of the anthropomorphic animal scroll, reproduced at half size.) Seihô's rendition is marvelous. $3,850.00
98. [FAN PAINTING] Murata KAGEN, artist. An unmounted fan painting by Kagen [d.1849], an Osaka artist mentioned in both Hillier's UNINHIBITED BRUSH and his 2 vol. work on ehon as a book designer and book illustrator. A lovely simple Shijô-style composition of flowers in light ink and muted colors. Signed and sealed. In near perfect condition. $475.00
99. [FAN PAINTING] Ueda KÔCHO, artist. ISE JINGU - PRIEST AND ATTENDANT. Original color and sumi painting on fan - shaped heavy paper (unmounted) by Ueda Kôcho, the important and prolific Shijô school artist and illustrator of the first half of the 19th Century. (See Mitchell 102 for the extensive list of his book contributions). Clean and handsome. $285.00
100. [FAN PAINTING] Ueda KÔCHO, artist. KAKIEMON DOLL AND FUGU. Original color and sumi painting on fan - shaped heavy paper (unmounted) by Ueda Kôcho, the important and prolific Shijô school artist and illustrator of the the first half of the 19th Century. (See Mitchell 102 for the extensive list of his book contributions). Clean and handsome. $185.00
101. [FAN PAINTING] Ueda KÔCHO, artist. SHRINE PRIEST WITH MAPLE BRANCH. Original color and sumi painting on fan - shaped heavy paper (unmounted) by Ueda Kôcho, the important and prolific Shijô school artist and illustrator of the first half of the 19th Century. (See Mitchell 102 for the extensive list of his book contributions). Clean and handsome. $225.00
102. [HORSE ‑ JAPAN]. ANTÔ ZUKÔ. 26.3 x 18.9 cm. N.P., Temmei Gannen [1781] A manuscript album of illustrations in color of horse furnishings, saddles and stirrups, from the Edo period. The examples are all captioned and described in a contemporary hand with some rubricated notes, as well. 16 single page illustration pages. Hand-brushed cover title. A copy from a work by the important historian Ise Sadatake [1717-84]. The drawings are quite skillful. There is a bit of mild worming. SOLD
103. [HORSE ‑ JAPAN]. BAGU‑ZU. 28.1 x 20.2 cm. N.P., N.D. [Japan - c. 1830] A manuscript album of illustrations in color of horse furnishings from the Edo period. The saddles, harness, reins, bells, etc., are all captioned. 19 single page illustration pages. Hand-brushed cover label. The drawings are quite skillful. There is some worming. $850.00
104. [KAKEMONO ‑ HANGING SCROLL] Itô JAKUCHÛ. A YOUNG BOY. A wonderful hanging scroll, (image size 70.6 x 26.4 cm) extensively restored and expertly remounted, sealed by Itô Jakuchû (1716-1800), one of the foremost painters of the mid-Edo period. With the spare and daring brushwork and composition of his sumi-e works. A lovely work. $6,750.00
105. [KAKEMONO] Kawabata GYOKUSHÔ, artist. HANGING SCROLL OF MT. FUJI. Appears to have the original mid to late Meiji silk mounting with wooden roller handles. The image size, on silk, is 102 x 40 cm. An abbreviated and somewhat abstract Fuji looms in the distance over a haboku style foreground of gnarled trees on a crag.
Gyokushô (1842-1913) was an important figure in Tokyo art circles at the turn of the century. He had studied Western painting in his youth under Charles Wirgman, but returned to tradition and became (according to Roberts) "the last great representative of the Shijô school." He was talented in more than Shijô style, however, as this painting illustrates. Haboku is a most difficult technique, which in Japan goes back to Sesshû. It is often attempted, but hardly ever successfully. This painting is, in our opinion, successful.
With uniform toning of the silk and a faint water spot, else very good. A lovely work. $2,850.00
106. [PAINTED DOORS, JAPANESE] Matsumura KEIBUN. PASTORAL LANDSCAPE. 4 red lacquered cabinet doors, each 28.5 x 45.5 cm, with delicate shippô handles - creating a panoramic sumi-e scene of a lovely farm in the countryside. Signed and sealed by Keibun (1779-1843), the brother of Goshun and student of Maruyama Ôkyo. Keibun was considered one of the finest Kyoto artists of his day, an important proponent of Shijô style painting, which this work amply demonstrates. The painting is on silk panels set into the sliding doors. The set, complete. $4,500.00
107. [SAPPORO ‑ PAINTING]. Traditional Painting of Sapporo, Hokkaidô. Rich Nihonga colors on silk. Three panels, each is about 28.5" x 41.5", making the entire triptych about 10 feet long. A monumental work which diplays Sapporo and its environs in a traditional bird’s-eye style, with a backdrop of mountains, near the sea. Done in Shôwa 11 (1936) place names are handbrushed in an elegant hand on tiny gold-leaf cartouches affixed to the painting. A wonderful evocation of traditional art, here displaying the modern city of Sapporo with its mass transit facilities, sports coliseum, modern factories and highways, along with shrines, temples, etc., etc. Aside from a few minor damp spots in the last image which are scarcely noticeable, a beautiful work in lovely condition. $7,500.00
