Kakemono Takasago - The Old Couple on the Shore with a Sailboat

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
184 x 60 cm
Item number:
4364

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.

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Details about the sold piece

  • JikusakiSculpture
  • Material HonshiSilk
  • MotifLandscape, Mythology, People
  • TechniqueHand-Painted

Description

An old couple sits on the sandy shore beneath a gnarled, blossoming pine branch, gazing out over the wide sea, where a small sailboat appears on the horizon. Above them, two cranes pass before a glowing red sun, while at their feet two turtles wander across the beach.

This motif depicts the famous Takasago legend of Jō and Uba, the old married couple who together reached a great age and became a symbol of marital fidelity, harmony, and a long, happy life. Pine, crane, and turtle, as classic symbols of good fortune, further reinforce the message of constancy and longevity.

The hanging scroll, finely executed in color and ink on silk, dates from the Shôwa period and captivates through its careful, narrative attention to detail. As a traditional motif of good fortune, it is excellently suited as a meaningful gift or as an atmospheric eye-catcher for lovers of classical Japanese narrative painting.

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