Screens: Pre 1800

 18c - Floating world screen pair

Click on the picture for detailed images

PRICE : $45,000 the pair  

ARTIST :
ach screen bears a seal which reads Hayashi. We have been unable to trace the artist.

AGE :
Mid 18th century

SIZE :
Each screen stands 26 inches high and measures 72.5 inches across.

DESCRIPTION :
An outstanding pair of small six-fold genre screens from the mid 18th century. Read from left to right, the first screen affords a glimpse into the pleasures of the floating world as young men dance gaily past a luxurious tea house with a waterway appearing through clouds The left screen begins with the entrance to 'yujo kabuki' or 'prostitute kabuki' and a group of seemingly penniless young men contemplating their method of entrance. A similarly challenged yet bolder man brushes aside the gatekeeper as they argue amongst themselves. Once inside the stage opens to reveal ladies dancing to the musical accompaniment of female musicians. They performed on the banks of a river in the Shijo area of Kyoto and used their appearances and skills to attract an audience. This type of kabuki was banned in 1629 though it essentially lasted until the establishment of the Shimabara pleasure quarters in 1640. For a screen of the same theme see 300 years of Japanese painting: Indianapolis Museum of Art.

TECHNIQUE :
The scenes have been painted on gold leaf with ink, pigments and gofun.

CONDITION :
The screens are essentially in excellent condition. They appear to have spent the majority of their lives boxed, thus largely preserving the state of the pigments and the gold leaf. They are presently contained within a box, the underside of which is inscribed in some detail. The inscription is signed by the 10th Takayoshi (Ryukei) and dated the 30th year of the Meiji period, 1897. It goes on to say that he, Takayoshi, received a visit from Mr. Ishibota in Meiji 25/26, 1892-93 who showed him this set of screens. He was completely taken with them though was unable to afford them at the time. Unable to forget the screens he eventually went to see Mr. Ishibota and purchased them.