Kakemono Lady in Dark Floral Kimono

With lowered gaze and elaborately pinned-up hair, an elegant lady in a dark, floral-patterned kimono is depicted here, her reserved expression and delicate facial features reflecting the style of classical Bijin-ga, the Japanese painting of beauties. A yellow-and-blue striped scarf loops loosely around neck and shoulder, while a red hair ornament sets a subtle accent of color within the otherwise dark palette.

The hand-painting was created on fine silk and dates from the Shôwa period; the clear brushwork and restrained color palette attest to the painter's high skill. The hanging scroll is delivered including its accompanying wooden box, which was typically used for storage and protection from light and dust.

As a classic Bijin-ga motif, this Kakemono embodies the quiet elegance of Japanese portrait painting and is exceptionally well suited as a decorative eye-catcher in the Tokonoma or in a Japanese-inspired living space. For collectors of traditional depictions of women, this hand-painted unique work is a particularly graceful piece.