Title: Tanzaku Paintings by Gyotai, Circa 1894-1934. Twelve Opulently Illuminated Paintings in a Rare Strip Format, and Stored in a Magnificent Lacquerware Box bearing the Emblem of the Japanese Imperial Family and Government
Artist: Mano Gyotei; Likely Commissioned for a Member of the Japanese Cabinet or Executive Branches
Condition: Very Good
A Meiji to Early Taisho period set of 12 paintings produced ins a tanzaku strip format, attributed to and signed by the artist Mano Gyotei (1874-1934), with his signature and multiple artist seals.
The paintings are varying in subject, from a small cat sleeping peacefully underneath a curtain, to a geisha in a colorful kimono, various wildlife and other figures, and even one of Zhong Kui about to vanquish a terrified demon hiding away. All the paintings have been produced against a brilliantly illuminated background, made with golden ink, and making the illustrations shine and stand out. Very reminiscent of the tanzaku productions of Shibata Zeshin.
Born in Edogawabashi, Gyotei’s given name was Yasogorō. His father, Mano Kyoryū was a pawnbroker, and pupil of the now renowned artist Kawanabe Kyosai, and Gyotei’s siblings Matsuji and Mitsuru were also artists as well. Just like his brothers, Gyotei was enamored with painting, and in 1884, at the age of 10, his father took him to study under Kyosai. Shortly after, Gyotei became Kyosai's apprentice and is said to have stayed at the Kawanabe household, in fact, from a drawing dated August 14, 1884, in the Kawanabe Kyosai Illustrated Diary, Gyotei is depicted sharing a pillow with Kawanabe Kyosui and others.
During his apprenticeship, Gyotei quickly mastered the techniques of the Kano school and excelled in landscape and figure painting, and between 1887 and 1889, when Gyotei was about 15, he attended calligraphy and painting meetings with artists such as Tsuji Kyomu, Namino Tosuke, Kashima Seibei, and Wada Ishiro. Even after Kyosai’s passing in 1889, Gyotei continued to be involved heavily in his studies, further honing his craft. From 1894 onwards, he presented several works at several art exhibitions, though he did take a 20-year break between 1908-1928. He passed away at the age of 61, and several of his works are held at the Kawanabe Kyosai Memorial Museum.
The paintings have been stored and preserved in a magnificent lacquerware box, and it looks like there was a separate space made for what could have been an accompanying scroll. The box itself bears a rather significant emblem that could point to the individual this was produced for, being the 5–7 Paulownia, or Go-shichi no Kiri, the golden crest which, at the time as used by the Japanese Imperial Family, as well as the government. As the government largely used the crest at this point, it is likely that the paintings were produced by a member of the Japanese cabinet, or from one of the executive branches. Given that Gyotei did not begin exhibiting his works until 1894, it is easier to narrow down the production date of these paintings, as he would have still been studying and practicing prior to that.
12 hand-painted and illuminated tanzaku strips on paper, 36.5 x 6.5 cm
These paintings are in very good shape, with minor wear and a few small creases. One of the paintings has very light scraping to it, with minor loss. There is very light, scattered spotting. The lacquerware box has a minor chipping and wear, with a small scratch to the top of the box. There is some minor wear and chipping internally as well.