Title: Kin Shikishi (Gold Shikishi), Circa 1890-1940. Sixteen Golden Paintings on Silk by Talented Artists of the Meiji to Showa Periods, Including Landscapes, Animals, and the Deity Fukurokuju
Author: Mitsui Iiyama; Tanaka Hakuin; Koka Sato; Mitsuishi Koju; Ichikei Chihaya(?); Ichiyama Seicho(?); Style of Kamisaka Sekka
Condition: Very Good
A Meiji to Early Showa Period, late 19th to mid 20th century suite of sixteen, large golden paintings on silk, laid down on boards, produced by various artists of the Meiji to Showa Periods. The subjects are varying, but largely included highly detailed landscapes, animals, and even Fukurokuju of the Seven Lucky Gods. All have been beautifully enhanced with shining gold backgrounds, whether paper or silk. A few, with the cranes in particular, are very much in the style of noted Rinpa and lacquerware artist Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942), who has created similar golden silk compositions on shikishi format sheets in the past.
All the paintings are attributed to various artists, with their artist seals and signatured present. Based on this very particular theme of gold highlighted work, it is possibly these paintings were commissioned for a client in mind. A few of the recognized artists are as followed:
Mitsui Iiyama (1881-1911) was born in Kagawa Prefecture, with a given name of Un. He first studied Southern School painting under Toichi Oyo in Oita and later studied under Tanomura Chokunyu in Kyoto. He became a member of the Japan Southern Painting Association, and in 1921 he founded the Japan Southern Painting Academy with Ikeda Keisen, Kono Shuson, Takin Chikuson, Mizuta Chikuho, and Yamada Kaidō.
Tanaka Hakuin (1866-1934) was born in Sunpu. He became a pupil of Tanomura Chokunyu in Kyoto in 1883 and studied Southern School painting. In 1900, he was adopted into the Tanaka family of Ishida Village, in Yamaguchi Prefecture. From the end of the Meiji Period through the Taisho Period, he traveled throughout the country, visiting Korea and China. He established art schools in Kyoto and Migita, Hofu, and educated many young artists, becoming a leading figure in the Kansai Southern painting world. He inherited the style of painting that was associated with Chokunyu and left behind colorful works such as blue-green landscapes. He was also known as a leading expert on the Takeda School of painting. He died in 1934.
Koka Sato (1887-1944) was born in Kyoto with the given name Chozaburo. He graduated from Kyoto Art College and exhibited his work "Kichijoten" at the 2nd Teiten exhibition in 1920, and was selected several times afterwards, until he was not selected for the exhibition in 1930. His works include "Akaehime", "Kyoen", "Kansogoro", "Kikujido", "Zuikyo" and others. He passed away at the age of 48.
Mitsuishi Koju (1901-1969) was born in Kumamoto Prefecture and decided to take up painting as a vested interest in 1919, moving to Tokyo and studying under Nanpo Katayama. In 1927, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy and was repeatedly selected for the Inten exhibition. He passed away at the age of 68.
The paintings have been neatly stored in a wooden box for preservation.
A set of sixteen silk paintings laid on paper, 27.3 x 24.5 cm
These paintings are in very good shape, with minor wear and rubbing to the paper, and corner wear to a fear pieces. One painting has suffered a corner crease at some point, and two of the paintings have minor paint scrape loss.