ARTIST : Taki Katei (1830-1901) was born in modern day Tokyo. The son of a samurai he first learnt painting under Araki Kankai (1789-1860) and later Oka Umpo (1765-1848). In 1850 he went to Nagasaki and joined the circle of a famous group of painters including Kinoshita Itsuun and Hidaka Tetsuo where he studied chinese painting. His work was exhibited at the International Vienna Exposition of 1873, Philadelphia in 1876 and Chicago in 1893 where he received a bronze medal for his painting. He was appointed as a painter to the Imperial Household the same year. He was regarded as one of the finest 'kacho-e' or 'bird and flower' painters of the Meiji period.
AGE : The spring of 1860
SIZE : Each image measures 53'' by 20'' (134 by 51 cm). Each scroll measures 83'' by 24.5'' (211 by 62.5 cm).
DESCRIPTION : This is a rare pair of paintings from the late Edo period by the artist Taki Katei. The work represents the analogy of the carp leaping the dragon's gate and being transformed into a dragon. The story and associated art encourages perseverance, courage and accomplishment and has its origins in China. In Japanese art the subject is almost always represented as a single painting featuring a leaping carp, leaving the dragon imagery to the imagination of the viewer. This is a most interesting and superbly painted pair of scrolls by a highly accomplished artist.
TECHNIQUE : ink on silk
CONDITION : The scrolls are original in all respects. They present very nicely and the paintings are in very good condition. That being said in areas the silk of the painting has detached itself from the backing paper. The pair will eventually need remounting although it is not necessary presently.
