Vintage Japanese Erotic Shunga Scroll, Early 20th Century

Japanese two-panel screen, study of an Okinawan mother and child, Taisho period early 20th century, dating from the 1920's. Signed by Matsumura Baiso, (1884-1935). Baiso was a studen...

Large and exceptional Japanese hanging scroll with a realistically painted depiction of a nesting crane by Yoshifuji Yoshio, Taisho/Showa perio...

A very finely painted two panel 'shunga' screen with scenes of naked erotic lovers in union. The scene on the left panel simply depicts the lovers in ...

Japanese Kano school screen with pine tree, camellias, cherry blossom and Chinese figures in the landscape, circa 18th century. Materials: Pigmen...

A rare pair of antique Japanese Karashishi paintings in a landscape of rocks and peony flowers on gold leaf ground in fine handmade frames, Edo period, early 18th century. The Karash...

Pair of antique Japanese Nagasaki School paintings by Yanagisawa Kien (1704-1758), depicting classical ikebana flower arrangements. Each painted on silk in mineral pigments and beari...

Shunga Unknown artist Meiji era, circa 1880 Hand-scroll mounted with 12 paintings Ink, pigment and gofun on silk Dimensions: Each image measures H. 23.2 cm x W. 34.4 cm (9.15” x 13.5”) The hand-scroll measures H. 28 cm x W. 540 cm (11” x 212”) A set of 12 late 19th century Japanese Shunga paintings mounted as a hand-scroll. Two of the leaves bear the signature and seal ‘Setsuzan’, although we are unable to confirm the identity of the artist using this art name. 6 of the 12 images are taken almost directly from Katsukawa Shuncho’s late 18th century woodblock series, ‘Erotic Pictures...

Ishizaki Koyo (1884-1947) Wagtail & Chrysanthemum Early 20th century Folding screen in two-panels. Ink, pigments and gofun on gold leaf. Sign: Koyo Seal: Koyo This ...

Kasahara Seiken White peacocks, circa 1916 Framed painting. Ink, color and gofun on silk. A Taisho period Japanese nihonga painting depicting a pair of white peacocks re...

Fig Trees Hiroe Kashu (b.1890) Taisho era, circa 1920 Pair of six-fold Japanese screens Ink, malachite, gold and silver on paper Dimensions: Each Screen measures H...

Deer under maples Late Taisho period, circa 1925-1930 Pair of two-panel screens. Ink and pigment on silk. Signature: Goho Seal: Goho A pair of two-fold Japanese silk screens...

Cherry Blossoms Kano Sanrakuki (1898-1981) Showa period, circa 1930 2-panel Japanese Screen Color, gofun and gold leaf on paper Against a backdrop of gold-leafed ground, the lichen covered trunk and branches of the life-sized cherry blossom tree reach out and beyond the confines of the pictorial surface. The overall composition has a feeling of flatness which draws emphasis to the surface and the three-dimensionality of the cherry blossoms. Painstakingly built-up layers of thickly applied shell-white gofun detail the voluminous blossoms and cover large areas of this tour-de-force of Japanese Nihonga painting. By simplifying the background, minimizing the number of colors and depicting the blossoms with such heavy relief, the artist has emphasized the stunning presence of the cherry tree. The type of tree depicted is the Yae-Zakura; a double-layered type of cherry blossom famed for its beauty and strength. When we think of Japanese cherry blossoms, the first thing that comes to mind is Somei Yoshino variety, which has a single flower with five almost white petals. This type is fragile and easily blown away by strong wind or rain. Most of the double-flowered cherry blossoms begin to bloom when the Somei-Yoshino falls, and the flowering period lasts longer than that of the Somei-Yoshino. Kano Sanrakuki originally studied painting at the Kyoto City Arts and Crafts School under the tutelage of Yamamoto Shunkyo...