Kakemono Carp in Water

In soft tones of gray and brown, a powerful carp glides through flowing water, while in the background the branches of a maple tree frame the picture. In Japanese pictorial language, the fish has long been regarded as a symbol of perseverance and success, as it pushes against the current – a popular motif in traditional kakemono painting. Next to the depiction is a handwritten line of poetry that lends the picture a poetic note, as well as a red artist's seal.

The painting is executed in muted colors on fine silk and dates from the Shôwa period. The tranquil composition, with its gently rippling water and only suggested bank vegetation, creates a meditative mood characteristic of classical Japanese ink painting.

The hanging scroll is delivered including a matching wooden box, in which it is traditionally stored and transported. For collectors of Japanese painting, this work is an evocative addition that convinces both through its motif and through its careful execution.