The Kura
Sold
Sold
A superb bronze vase with silver plate design enclosed in the original wooden box and stamped on the base by the artsit. The vessel is 11-1/2 inches (30 cm) tall and in excellent condition
The Kura
Sold
Sold
Heavy pigment on thickly veined gold creates a powerful collection of scenes from the Taiheiki, the 11th century story of the fall of the courtiers and usurpation of power by two military families, the Taira and the Genji. The screen dates to the 18th century, or middle Edo period. Many old repairs attest to age. We have had it completely remounted, with no painting restoration performed. On the left the famous scene of shooting a fan from horseback from the battle of Yajima...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
A set of five Meiji period dishes hand painted by Suzuki Hyakunen in commemoration of the Gosho-Nai Dai-Hakurankai (Exposition in the Imperial Palace, Kyoto) stamped on the underside with the event name and each individually signed by the artist. The literati scenes include a scholar contemplating a waterfall, Mountain retreat lost in rugged hills, sails on the lake, traveler in the hills and horses on the lakeshore under weeping willows...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
Light strokes of wisdom and peace decorate this pale Chawan by Zen Priest Kutsu Deiryu enclosed in a period wooden box. The clay is very light, low fired with a heavily crackled pale glaze over which the artist has written a verse in Kanbun poetry taken from his interpretation of the Kanzanshi poetry anthology. The bowl is 5-1/4 inches (13.5 cm) diameter, 3-1/4 inches (8 cm) tall and in fine condition, stamped Uchide on the base...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
Who will win this game of Niramekko (staring contest)? Not to be distracted by the flapping wings of the dragonfly, the Daruma stares blankly ahead in this ink and light color on silk painting in a brown silk border featuring bamboo rollers. The Daruma image is by Seisetsu, the calligraphy poem by Sugimura Sojinkan (1874-1945). The scroll measures 46 x 119 cm (18 x 47 inches) and is in fine condition but for some minor damage to the upper left edge of the border...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
In honor of the opening of the Riva Lee Asbel Collection at the Morikami. A perfect one stroke circle in dark ink by Seki Seisetsu. Ink on paper with copper silk border extended with beige and featuring bamboo rollers. The scroll is 17 x 49-1/2 inches (42.5 x 125.5 cm) and in fine condition but for some minor wrinkles.
Seki Seisetsu (1877-1945) was the head priest of Tenryuji and a prolific painter and calligraphist...
Seki Seisetsu (1877-1945) was the head priest of Tenryuji and a prolific painter and calligraphist...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
A snail crawls slowly toward the scrawling gold lines of this tea room scroll by Imai Keiju enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is performed with ink and gold on paper in a crushed paper border with bamboo rollers befitting the humble confines of the tea room. The scroll measures 18-1/2 by 43-1/2 inches (46.5 x 110 cm) and is in fine condition.
Imai Keiju (1891-1967) was born and lived his life in Kansai, cultural heart of Japan...
Imai Keiju (1891-1967) was born and lived his life in Kansai, cultural heart of Japan...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
In honor of the opening of the Riva Lee Asbel Collection at the Morikami a calligraphy work by Shibayama Zenkei. The calligraphy reads Utsuru Chiku In Sei Fu. The Bamboo moves, Pulling the Pure Wind (like the strings of a harp). The scroll measures 17-1/2 x 78-1/2 inches (44 cm x 2 meters) and is in fine condition but for some minor scattered spotting. A very hard to find artist.
Shibayama Zenkei (1894-1974) was one of the most important figures in bringing Zen to the West...
Shibayama Zenkei (1894-1974) was one of the most important figures in bringing Zen to the West...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
A fine cinnabar lacquered suzuri bako likely dating from the 1920s or 30s embellished outside with a mythic creature in clouds, inside with a golden poem on silver. Very elegant, this is a superb work of art steeped in the richest traditions of Japanese design. The inside of the box and lid is signed Sanzo. Probably an artist of the Zohiko studio. Outside the lid is signed Shuen, so it is a joint work by two artists. It has never been used, enclosed in the original signed wooden box...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
A set of 10 early 20th century ceramic plates depicting 10 unique views of Kyoto hand painted and signed by famous members of that city’s art circles including Hayashi Bunto (1882-1966), Yamashita Chikusai (1884-1973), Uenaka Chokusai (1885-1977), Miwa Chosei (1901-1983), Yamaguchi Kayo (1899-1984), Sakakura Seiko (1895-1964), Matsumoto Ichiyo (1893-1952), Kondo Koichiro (1884-1962) and two others whose signatures we have been unable to decode...
The Kura
Sold
Sold
A beautifully executed bun-shaped covered dish embellished with two vying dragons dating from the 19th century and likely originating from the Hirado area of Southern Japan. It measures 9 inches (22.5 cm) diameter, 4-1/2 inches (11 cm) tall and is in fine condition.
This piece has no storage box, however one could be made if desired.
This piece has no storage box, however one could be made if desired.
The Kura
Sold
Sold
Snow on plums, an Ink and light pigment on silk painting by Kyoto artist Nakanishi Koseki (1807-1884) bordered in plum patterned silk in the Mincho style reflecting the scratchy style of the literatus within. Soft ink tones and heavy washes of gray clash with the brisk strokes and jagged lines of the painting, creating a vivacious winter scene echoing the battle for life between the months of snow and the impending spring...