Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Longhorn Beetle & Poppies.

About the Item

Obata Tosho (1812-1886) Longhorn Beetle & Poppies. Late Edo period, mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Ink and color on paper. Individually framed 19th century bird and flower paintings by the Tottori feudal painter Obata Tosho. Each painting is meticulously and realistically depicted with delicate brushwork and subtle yet gorgeous coloring. The flora has been entirely rendered in the ‘boneless’ technique of applying ink or pigment directly to the paper in a manner that emphasizes washes instead of lines. The representation of the insects and mice are detailed almost to the point of scientific exactness. The flora and fauna represented are associated with the four seasons and the twelve months and convey a sense of time passing and celebration of the unique characteristics of the season. The paintings show the distinct influence of Nakabayashi Chikuto, Obata Tosho’s second teacher. Chikuto was a leading painter and theorist within a circle of mid-19th century Japanese scholars who were intensely interested in Chinese literati ideals. Chikuto specialized in Chinese-style landscape painting, but he also produced a number of bird and flower works that were likely inspired by the careful and delicate approach of the Chinese master Yun Shou-ping (1633-1690). Obata Tosho (1812-1886) was born in Tottori prefecture. He first learned Nanpin style painting techniques from Kuroda Toko, and his talent was recognized from a young age. He is an important member of the Tottori School. During the construction of the new Ninomaru building of Tottori Castle in 1845 he contributed a number of paintings and folding screens. In 1846 he went to Kyoto to study painting under the literati painter Nakabayashi Chikuto. He was simultaneously employed as an artist for the Tottori domain. He worked there for over 20 years during the turbulent period from the Edo to the Meiji era, and became, along with Oki Morikata (1841-1912), the last official artist of the Tottori domain. The 45 sliding door paintings that decorate the entire main hall of Jitoku-ji Temple (Hyogo Prefecture) are said to be Tosho’s masterpiece, and feature vivid depictions of a variety of subjects such as "Playing Carp," "Dragon and Clouds," "Fierce Tiger," "Reeds and Geese," and "Peony and Peacock."
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 51.5 in (130.81 cm)Width: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1850
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Recently restored and framed in Kyoto by traditional craftsmen.
  • Seller Location:
    Kyoto, JP
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2472341454212

More From This Seller

View All
Mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Grasshopper & Hibiscus.
Located in Kyoto, JP
Obata Tosho (1812-1886) Grasshopper & Hibiscus. Late Edo period, mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Ink and color on paper. Individually framed 19th century bird and flow...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Mice & Millet
Located in Kyoto, JP
Obata Tosho (1812-1886) Mice & Millet Late Edo period, mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Ink and color on paper. Individually framed 19th century bird and flower paintin...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Snail, Wasp & Hollyhock.
Located in Kyoto, JP
Obata Tosho (1812-1886) Snail, Wasp & Hollyhock Late Edo period, mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Ink and color on paper. Individually framed 19th century bird and flow...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Spider & Morning Glory.
Located in Kyoto, JP
Obata Tosho (1812-1886) Spider & Morning Glory Late Edo period, mid 19th Century Framed Japanese Painting. Ink and color on paper. Individually framed 19th century bird and flowe...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

19th Century Japanese Scroll Painting by Igarashi Chikusa, Poppies & Butterflies
Located in Kyoto, JP
Poppies & Butterflies Ink, pigment and gofun on silk Igarashi Chikusa (1774-1844) Signature: Chikusa Ran Zen Upper Seal: Ran Shuzen Lower Seal: Kyoho Dimensions: Scroll: H. 68” x W. 18” (172cm x 45cm) Image: H. 38.5’’ x W. 12.5’’ (98cm x 32cm) This composition shows elegant images of poppies and the butterflies that are inevitably drawn to them. It captures a momentary glimpse into a world both visually dazzling and startlingly realistic. The painting is infused with sensitivity and attention to seasonal change and weather conditions. The thin and fragile poppies are beautifully depicted with brilliant colors and the butterflies are similarly infused with life. The painting is on silk which requires extremely precise painting skills as no element once painted can be removed. Poppies were a favorite subject of Rinpa school artists through the ages. Originally they were somewhat abstracted but by the age of Sakai Hoitsu...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

Japanese Painting, Hanging Scroll, Mid 19th Century, Koi and Water Plants
By Iwase Hirotaka
Located in Kyoto, JP
Iwase Hirotaka (1808-1877) Koi and Water Plants Hanging scroll, ink, color, gold wash and gold flecks on silk Inscription: Hirotaka Seal: Ille...
Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

You May Also Like

Large Framed Japanese Buddhist Amida Temple Hall Painting, Mid-19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A large and incredible Japanese painting of a Buddhist temple hall with Amida Nyorai, late Edo or early Meiji period, mid-19th century, Japan. Mounted wit...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brocade, Silk, Acrylic, Wood, Paint

Mid-20th Century Japanese silk embroidered framed painting
Located in Delft, NL
Mid-20th Century Japanese silk embroidered framed painting A silk embroidered painting and is framed behind glass with a scene of women in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

Edo Period (19th) Japanese antique painting of flowers
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Japanese antique painting of flowers 19 C Weight 3kg ( 6.6lb)
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Paper

19th Century Japanese Screen
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Mid-19th Century Japanese sixfold screen with atmospheric Nanga style painting. Black ink over gold leaf on paper, of a peaceful mountainous landscape emerging from mist. In the fore...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens

Materials

Gold Leaf

Set of 6 Large Kakemonos Japanese Mythology, 19th Century Japan circa 1800 Edo
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful set of 6 large kakemonos from 19th century Japanese mythology. Paper support with a canvas pasted on the paper Wonderful set that is part of Japan's history and beliefs When not hung, the Kakemonos are rolled up. circa 1800 - Japan - Edo Period A kakemono translates as "object to hang". In Japan this refers to a painting or calligraphy, most often done on silk or paper framed in a scroll that was intended to be hung on walls or in public lighting. This particular form, which allows them to be in a roll, dates back to the Tang dynasty in China (this would be related to the copying and preservation of ancient Buddhist texts). A Kami is a deity or spirit worshipped in the Shinto religion. A Yokai is a spirit, ghost, demon, or strange apparition from the creatures of Japanese folklore. Each of these kakemonos represents a unique story: - A kami, a Japanese deity, is shown painting a rainbow. Indeed, he performs the action with his right hand while his left hand holds a kind of basket with three pots of paint. This kami has a rather closed attitude. He is standing in a dark and tormented sky. Below this figure, 8 villagers are dressed in traditional Japanese clothes. Their faces are softened. They are not afraid of the elements made by the kami above their heads. - A character with an unreal look is holding a kind of jar with his two hands, which he spills on human figures above. This being is floating in the air, probably a character from mythology, perhaps Susanoo. Underneath, villagers on umbrellas. They are trying to protect themselves as best they can from what is falling on them. One of them is carrying baskets with fish on her shoulders. A character in the background is thrown forward and falls. - On this kakemono, the god Raijin, dressed in a white and blue outfit, strikes the sky with his two drum hammers to create lightning and its thunderous sound. Surrounded by Tomoe and a long red scarf, Raijin, enraged and with dishevelled hair, creates a dark and violent storm. The villagers seem frightened by this meteorological phenomenon. One of the villagers can be seen fainting in the arms of a man. This scene may seem chaotic, but Japanese legend tells us that once a field is struck by lightning, the harvest is good. - On this kakemono, we see an unreal-looking figure holding a fan, as if he were sweeping away the bad weather, or simply producing gusts of wind. He is probably the kami of wind and air, Shina tsu-hiko. The figures below him seem surprised by so much wind. An umbrella flies away on the left, the women hold their hair and scarf, the clothes are caught in the power of the wind, there is even a woman on the ground on the bottom left. - This Kakemono represents a short moment. This Raiju is a yokai (ghost spirit...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings

Materials

Paper

19th Century Japanese Edo Screen Kano School Garden Terrace
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic 19th century Japanese Edo/Tokugawa period two-panel byobu screen featuring Chinese children frolicking on a garden terrace with a pavilion and large pine tree. Made in the ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Recently Viewed

View All