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EDO p. Japanese ZENGA HYOTAN SCROLL, SOMON browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese: Pre 1900: item # 160316 Please refer to our stock # ALR840 when inquiring.
The Kura 16-1 ShimoWakakusa-Cho Murasakino Kita-ku Kyoto 603-8234 tel.81-75-432-6980 Guest Book Sold, Thank you |
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| An Edo period Sumi-e image of an elongated gourd signed Somon (Hidaka Somon, 1792-1872) within which is playfully scrawled the phrase Tanoshimi wa Kono Naka ni Ari, or Joy is Found Within. Traditionally the gourd is a symbol of the world or universe, and in some legends the world is said to have emerged from inside a gourd. It also has many attachments to Zen parables, where it is considered hollow like our minds. This being the case we must not look to external stimuli for happiness, but will only find it inside ourselves. Somon, of Nagasaki, was a sword-carrying priest of Shuntoku-ji Temple and avid supporter of the restoration of the Emperor, and studied Nanga under both Ishizaki Yushi and Kaho. Interestingly the artist has left us a clue as to when in his long life the painting was created. Both the signature line and lower stamp contain the phrase GoKoku Kin O, a patriotic expression in support of the Emperor (as opposed to the Tokugawa Shogunate), common during the Bakumatsu period (1840-1870). The piece is bordered in blue green paper extended above and below in caramel color and features bone rollers. This paper appears to date from a later period, perhaps as late as the early 20th century (late Meiji to Taisho period). There are several short creases in the lower 1/3rd of the painting, as well as in the upper brown field. It measures 10-1/8 by 76 inches (25.8 x 193 cm). | |||||||||
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