Kakemono Grasses by the Rock

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
114 x 44 cm
Item number:
3501

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.

More items in category Flowers and PlantsAll one-of-a-kind Japanese Painting pieces

See new one-of-a-kind pieces first

We feature every delivery from Japan in the newsletter first – before the pieces show up in search results.

About once a week. No spam. Promised. Unsubscribe at any time via the link in each issue.

By signing up you accept our privacy policy.

You might like these pieces

Details about the sold piece

  • JikusakiBone
  • Material HonshiPaper
  • MotifFlowers and Plants
  • TechniqueHand-Painted

Description

Rendered entirely in ink, without any color, this hanging scroll shows a mighty rock at the foot of which sweeping grasses and blooming orchids spread out. The varying gradations of ink – from deep black to delicate gray – give the stone its plastic effect, while the grasses are executed with just a few energetic brushstrokes.

Rock, grasses, and orchid are among the classic motifs of literati ink painting and stand for constancy, modesty, and a noble, reclusive character – qualities that were especially valued in East Asian scholar culture. The calligraphic brushwork underscores this close kinship between painting and the art of writing.

The motif was painted by hand on paper in the Shôwa period, and the hanging scroll is fitted with jikusaki made of bone. Signature and red seal at the left edge of the image identify this work as a unique work by a Japanese painter. For collectors of monochrome ink painting, this restrained, elegant hanging scroll is a stylish addition.

Frequently asked

Related topics