Kakemono Koi in the Spray of the Waterfall

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Signature / Stamp:
Suirei
Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
191 x 60 cm
Item number:
5340

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Suirei 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

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

Description

Against the plunging masses of water of a waterfall, a powerful koi struggles upward on this kakemono, its body elegantly arched, the scales rendered in fine tones of gray and gold. Delicate white touches of paint stand for the spraying mist and lend the scene movement and drama.

The depiction takes up the well-known legend of the koi that swims up the waterfall and in doing so transforms into a dragon – a symbol of perseverance, willpower, and success after great effort. Accordingly, this motif was popular as a bringer of good fortune and a source of encouragement in living and working spaces.

The picture is painted on silk, the jikusaki is made of ceramics, created in the Shôwa period. This kakemono comes in a wooden box (tomobako) signed by the artist and is thus an expressive choice for anyone wishing to be inspired by the symbolic power of Japanese painting.

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