Title: Kikyorai ji Emaki (Departure Speech Picture Scroll), 1863(?). A Japanese Rendition of Tao Yuanming Returning to Seclusion and other Scenes of his Life, Beautifully Painted on Silk in a Nanga Style
Author: Southern School Artist
Condition: Very Good
A Late Edo Period, mid 19th century emakimono handscroll, entitled Kikyorai ji Emaki, or Departure Speech Picture Scroll. The work appears to be a Japanese rendition of some famously depicted scenes of Tao Yuanming’s return to seclusion in the mountains, and his life, with accompanying calligraphy.
One of the best-known poets who lived during the Six Dynasties period, Tao Yuanming spent much of his life in reclusion, living in the countryside, farming, reading, drinking wine, receiving the occasional guest, and writing poems in which he reflected on the pleasures and difficulties of life and his decision to withdraw from civil service. This tale has been depicted in paintings time and time again, going back as far as the Song Dynasty with painted depictions.
This example has been beautifully produced on silk, likely by a Southern School artist skilled with Nanga painting. The painting opens with Tao Yuanming arriving to shore, where he is greeted by two figures. There is another scene of a figure preparing to produce calligraphy using a blank scroll, and lastly we see a final scene of Yuanming staring up to the sky. There is considerable shading work to the background, especially attention to detail in the trees.
There is an artist signature and seal I do not recognize, with the final lines of calligraphy being rather difficult to discern. All I can properly make out is an inscribed date to the year of Guihai, which would be something about 1863.
The paintings have been laid down and bound in a scroll format for preservation. There is a wooden box to accompany it, preserving the scroll.
One emakimono (picture scroll) on silk, roughly 26 x 450 cm
This emakimono is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the rear of the paper. There are some minor creases and roll marks, a bit of paint loss to a lower margin, only affecting water, and some general soiling and staining throughout.