Kakemono The Four Noble Plants

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Signature / Stamp:
Endō Keizō
Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
189 x 60 cm
Item number:
6351

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Endō Keizō 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

  • JikusakiWood
  • Material HonshiSilk
  • MotifFlowers and Plants
  • TechniqueHand-Painted
  • Wooden BoxYes

Description

This hanging scroll depicts the Four Noble Plants (Shikunshi, 四君子) – plum blossom (Ume), orchid (Ran), bamboo (Take), and chrysanthemum (Kiku). In the East Asian art tradition, they represent the virtues of the scholar: fortitude, modesty, purity, and integrity.

The composition unfolds in a fine vertical arrangement that connects the four seasons in harmonious sequence. The plum blossom heralds spring and renewal, the orchid stands for summer and cultivated grace, the bamboo embodies strength and constancy in autumn, while the chrysanthemum symbolizes winter and the dignity of aging.

Fine lines and clear areas of color alternate, lending the work a calm, balanced elegance. The vivid colors of the blossoms – red, white, yellow, and green – glow against the light background of the silk, creating a subtle balance between vibrancy and stillness.

Painted on silk, with jikusaki of wood, dated to the Shōwa period. The seal refers to Endo Keizo.

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