Kakemono Ayu Fish in the River

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
186 x 50 cm
Item number:
5335

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was a handmade one-of-a-kind work. It cannot be reordered and will never exist in this form again. The page stays online as part of our archive.

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Details about the sold piece

  • JikusakiCeramics
  • Material HonshiPaper
  • MotifAnimals
  • TechniqueHand-Painted
  • Wooden BoxYes

Description

With restrained, almost watercolor-like ink tones, two ayu fish are captured here as they glide through flowing water. Fine gray lines suggest the current, while the fish themselves are rendered with sculptural depth through gentle gradients from silver-gray to warm ocher – a technique that requires great painterly skill.

The ayu, also called sweetfish, is regarded in Japan as a symbol of freshness, the purity of waterways, and summer, as it is traditionally caught in clear mountain rivers. Such fish motifs were especially popular as wall decoration during the warm season, bringing a cooling, refreshing atmosphere into the room.

Painted on paper, with a jikusaki of ceramics, this unique work dates from the Shôwa period. This kakemono comes in a wooden box (tomobako) signed by the artist, making it an evocative choice for anyone enthusiastic about the depiction of Japanese nature motifs.

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