Kakemono

Four Cranes in the Grass Beneath Pines

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Signature / Stamp:: Toyohiko
Dimensions (width x height):: 33 x 103 cm
Item number:: 3294

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Toyohiko and was a 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

Material HonshiSilk
TechniqueHand-Painted

Description

Unlike the flying crane, which is usually depicted in a swooping dive or with outstretched wings, this hanging scroll shows a group of four cranes resting and foraging on the ground, huddled closely together beneath gnarled pines.

The birds are rendered with a fine brushstroke in warm beige and gray tones on silk, their characteristic red crowns glowing subtly. The gnarled pines in the background, likewise a symbol of endurance and long life, reinforce the symbolism of the composition and at the same time create a dense, sheltered pictorial space.

The slightly earthy gold tone of the mounting fabric and the calm, earthbound composition create a warm, almost domestic mood that differs markedly from the vast expanse of sky in a flying crane motif. The artist's signature and red seal are found along the lower edge of the picture.