Japanese Hanging Scroll, Late 19th Century

A silk parchment scroll with a Camellia Flower painting, by Japanese artist Matsumura Keibun (1779-1843). The younger half-brother to Matsumura Goshun, founder of the Shijo schoo...

A classic Minister's hat armchair from Henan, China. Northern elm wood, original finish, circa 1890. Open hand-carving of "Good Fortune" on back-splat. Tw...

Bamboo in moonlight Gamo Rakan (1784-1866) Hanging scroll, ink on silk. Dimensions: Scroll: 201 cm x 58 cm Image: 137 cm x 45 cm In this early 19th century work by Gamo Rakan a light ink wash applied to the silk background silhouettes the moon and suggests the atmosphere of early evening. Even though it is a literati subject, Rakan’s bamboo is quite realistic with a strong decorative style. The painting finds its inspiration from Chinese Ming dynasty painters who often used a single-tone, jet black stroke to emphasize the calligraphic nature of bamboo. In a different era, decorative would have been seen as somewhat unrefined. But increasingly in the Edo period, it was the hallmark of high style. The Japanese people, in particular the rising merchant class, had gradually become apathetic toward the traditional Sesshu and Kano schools of painting. Chinese professional and amateur painters living in the port of Nagasaki during the 18th century had a profound effect on Japanese painting and the freshness of their style and its decorative appeal contributed greatly to its popularity. Gamo Rakan’s teacher, Tani Buncho...

Two Japanese scroll painting depicts scenes from the Tale of Genji (Genji-E), from Edo period. These painting were purchased from Odewara Shoten in the...