Kakemono Water, Retreat and Ascent - Set of 3

This three-part kakemono set unfolds like a visual narrative along the element of water. In the outer paintings, powerful carp rise through frothing currents and falling water – symbols of endurance, transformation and spiritual elevation. With a few decisive brushstrokes, both movement and resistance become palpable: the arched bodies of the fish, the rhythmic wave lines and the vertical waterfalls create a dynamic tension that inevitably draws the eye upward.

In contrast stands the middle kakemono, which shows a reclusive scholar or sage, absorbed in himself and far from the roaring activity. The reduced linework and the open space lend this scene a contemplative calm. It forms the spiritual center of the ensemble – a moment of retreat between departure and destination.

All three kakemono are painted on silk and fitted with jikusaki made of bone. The seal refers to Kano Eihaku. Kept together in a wooden box, this ensemble preserves its narrative coherence and unites movement, stillness and transformation into a self-contained sequence of images.

The paintings, in particular the middle one, show damage in places (visible as white spots in the photos). Please examine the photos closely to get an impression of the condition.