Kakemono Takasago - The Old Couple with Turtles by the Sea
One of a kind — this work exists only once.
- Period:
- Taishô (1912–1926)
- Dimensions (height x width):
- 200 x 71 cm
- Item number:
- 4200
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
- JikusakiBone
- Material HonshiSilk
- MotifMythology, People
- TechniqueHand-Painted
Description
Under a gnarled pine tree whose branches span wide across the picture, an old man with a rake and an old woman with a broom meet against the backdrop of a setting sun over the sea. At their feet rest two turtles, while two cranes pass by in the sky – symbols of longevity and marital fidelity.
The scene draws on the well-known Takasago legend, in which the spirits of two old pine trees appear as a loving old couple and stand for constancy, harmony, and a long life together. This motif was traditionally a popular gift for weddings and milestone birthdays.
Painted on silk and fitted with a roller rod with handles made of bone, this kakemono dates from the Taishô period. With its rich symbolism and fine execution, this hanging scroll is a particularly meaningful example of Japanese narrative painting.
